Dass Youths Protest Attack On Emir, Threaten Revenge

• As embattled royal father appeals for calm

BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – Youths in Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State on Saturday trooped out in their hundreds to protest what they described as ill-treatment of their Emir, Usman Bilyaminu Othman, by some irate youths.

The royal father was on his way to Bogoro town in Bogoro Local Government Area the previous day, Friday, December 31, 2021, for the 21st memorial anniversary of late Baba Peter Gonto when the attack on his entourage reportedly occurred.

Marching on and blocking the ever-busy Dass-Tafawa Balewa highway, the protesting youths chanted vengeance songs, issuing threats of attacking Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro residents to retaliate the assault on the Emir’s convoy that saw his official car smashed.

In the process, vehicular movement and human traffic were disrupted by the youths who defied all entreaties by prominent individuals in the town and insisted that vengeance must be served on the culprits.

Refusing to be pacified, Emir Bilyaminu Othman had to intervene by leaving his palace to engage the enraged youths where they mounted the roadblock, pleading for calm and their understanding.

Addressing them, the traditional ruler condemned the attack on his convoy by the unknown hoodlums in Tafawa Balewa while heading to attend the event in Bogoro.

However, succeeding in pacifying the angry youths, he urged them to refrain from taking the law into their hands by allowing security agencies to do their work, noting that Dass local government is a home of peace and must continue to remain so.

According to him, as peace lovers, the Dass people are not easily provoked, no matter the degree of the offensive against them, adding that as the father of all, he will not allow shellfish individuals to destroy the foundation of peace laid by past leaders of the area.

The traditional leader used the forum to praise Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Muhammed Abdulkadir, for his commitment to peace in the state, promising to give him the needed support in that direction.

He also urged the general public to go about their normal businesses without fears of attack from any quarters, assuring that security agencies are on top of the situation.

The Emir wished all Nigerians a Happy New Year 2022, expressing the hope that this year will bring lots of positive things to the people of Dass and Bauchi state in general.