Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has warned that Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) remain major security threats in the North-East, calling on security agencies to intensify joint efforts against insurgency.

Fintiri gave the warning on Thursday while declaring open a two-day meeting of federal and state security administrators in Yola. He was represented by his deputy, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta.

The governor acknowledged that military operations had significantly weakened the conventional capabilities of insurgents but said the groups continued to exploit remote rural areas, asymmetric tactics and cross-border vulnerabilities to attack vulnerable targets.

He cautioned against premature declarations of victory, stressing that emerging security threats could undermine the region’s socio-economic development.

Fintiri said lasting security required more than military operations, adding that grassroots engagement, social justice and inclusive governance were essential to addressing the underlying challenges that enabled insecurity.

He also raised concerns about insurgents using digital platforms to recruit vulnerable young people and spread misinformation, urging security agencies to adapt their strategies to address threats in online spaces.

On border security, the governor called on the Federal Government to deploy advanced surveillance technology, expand drone coverage, strengthen joint border patrols and accelerate the establishment of one-stop border posts.

He said the measures would help curb illegal cross-border migration, arms proliferation and smuggling, while improving the ability of security agencies to monitor movements across the region.

Fintiri also called for increased funding for security agencies to improve operational capacity, provide modern equipment and strengthen the welfare of personnel working under difficult conditions.

He identified poor coordination among security agencies and gaps between intelligence-gathering units and field tactical teams as challenges requiring urgent attention.

The governor urged the agencies to prioritise cooperation over institutional rivalry, noting that effective intelligence sharing and coordinated responses were essential to tackling insurgency.

He further challenged participants at the meeting to move beyond discussions and develop practical, measurable strategies for addressing security challenges across the sub-region.

Among his proposals was the adoption of unified digital freight and transit-tracking platforms across states and major transport corridors to monitor suspicious cargo, curb illegal checkpoints and secure trade routes.

Fintiri described Adamawa’s hosting of the meeting as evidence of improved stability in the state, noting that security concerns had previously made such gatherings difficult to organise in parts of the North-East.

As part of efforts to strengthen local security operations, he announced the donation of 300 motorcycles and 16 security vehicles to support policing across the state’s 15 chiefdoms and 21 local government areas.

The meeting brought together security administrators from Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to discuss security challenges and improve coordination among relevant agencies.

The governor said sustained cooperation, adequate resources and practical implementation of agreed measures would be necessary to improve security and support lasting peace in the region.