Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has warned that Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) remain persistent security threats in the North-East and neighbouring areas, urging security agencies to strengthen cooperation and develop practical strategies to tackle insurgency.
Fintiri spoke on Thursday while declaring open the 2026 Federal and States Security Administrators’ Meeting in Yola. He was represented by his deputy, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta.
The governor acknowledged military gains against insurgents but cautioned that these had not eliminated the threat, noting that armed groups continued to exploit difficult terrain, asymmetric tactics and vulnerabilities along international borders.
“While our gallant armed forces have significantly degraded their conventional capabilities, these insurgents continue to exploit vast rural terrains, asymmetric tactics, and cross-border vulnerabilities to strike at soft targets,” he said.
Fintiri warned security administrators against declaring victory prematurely, arguing that persistent insecurity and emerging threats continued to endanger the region’s economic and social development.
Fintiri Seeks Stronger Border Surveillance
The governor urged the Federal Government to modernise border security through advanced surveillance technology, drone coverage, joint patrols and the expedited establishment of One-Stop Border Posts.
He said these measures were needed to address illegal cross-border migration, arms proliferation and smuggling, which can undermine security operations and expose communities to criminal activities.
Adamawa shares an international boundary with Cameroon, making border monitoring and cooperation with neighbouring authorities important components of the state’s security concerns.
The governor called for practical measures to secure border communities and transport corridors rather than relying exclusively on conventional military operations.
Fintiri also raised concerns about the use of digital platforms by insurgents to recruit vulnerable young people and spread misinformation.
He called for responses that combine operational security measures with community engagement, social justice and inclusive governance, arguing that security extends beyond weapons and battlefield operations.
The governor said Adamawa’s creation of seven additional emirates and chiefdoms was intended to strengthen traditional institutions, improve local administration and encourage community participation.
Governor Demands Improved Security Funding
Fintiri called on the Federal Government to increase operational funding, provide better tactical equipment and improve welfare packages for security personnel.
He specifically cited the Police, Nigerian military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services and Nigeria Customs Service as agencies working under difficult conditions.
According to the governor, inadequate resources and equipment can constrain the ability of frontline personnel to respond effectively to security threats.
He also called for stronger coordination among security agencies, warning that institutional rivalry and poor links between intelligence gathering and field operations could undermine joint efforts.
“The operational disconnect between intelligence gatherers and field tactical teams must end. Victory belongs to unity, not institutional ego,” he said.
The call for closer cooperation featured prominently in the meeting, which brought together security administrators from Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Adamawa Donates 300 Motorcycles, 16 Vehicles
Fintiri announced the donation of 300 motorcycles and 16 security vehicles to support policing and security operations across Adamawa’s 15 chiefdoms and 21 local government areas.
The equipment is intended to improve the mobility of security personnel and help them reach communities and locations where access may be difficult.
The announcement complements the governor’s call for better equipment and stronger operational capacity among security agencies. However, the long-term impact will depend on how the vehicles and motorcycles are allocated, maintained and integrated into coordinated security operations.
Fintiri also proposed unified digital freight and transit tracking platforms across states and national transport corridors. Such systems, he argued, could help monitor suspicious cargo, reduce illegal checkpoints and improve the security of commercial routes.
Security Chiefs Urged to Deliver Practical Solutions
Fintiri described Adamawa’s hosting of the meeting as a sign of improved stability, noting that security concerns had previously complicated the hosting of gatherings in parts of the North-East.
He urged participants to move beyond speeches and develop workable strategies to address insurgency and other security challenges.
The meeting’s recommendations will be important in determining how federal and state authorities coordinate border surveillance, intelligence sharing, community engagement and operational support.
While the governor acknowledged military gains, his message was that sustained security would require more than battlefield successes. He called for better-equipped security agencies, stronger inter-agency cooperation and measures to address the vulnerabilities insurgents continue to exploit.
