Six North East governors Tuesday night called for continued collaboration among security agencies in the fight against insurgency in the sub-region.
The governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe, who met under the auspices of North East Governors Forum (NEGF), said the collaboration was necessary to sustain the current gains recorded in the war against insurgents.
In a communique signed by chairman of the forum, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, at the end of its fifth meeting in Jalingo, the governors noted the general improvement in the security situation in the sub-region.
The forum called on the diplomatic community, partners and donor agencies supporting the sub-region to activate the process of transiting from humanitarian aid to stabilizing the region and finding a permanent solution to the insurgency and banditry.
According to the communique, the transition would ensure sustainability and give the people the opportunity to help themselves out of poverty.
It also decried the negative impact of drug and narcotic substances in the region and the extent to which it has aided the insurgency and other forms of criminality.
While congratulating the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen Farouk Yahaya, the NEGF condoled with President Muhammadu Buhari and the families of the late COAS, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and the 10 others who died in a recent helicopter crash.