Gombe: Communal Clash Claims One Life, 50 Houses

…State government calls for calm

BY WILLIAM ATTAH, GOMBE – A woman lost her life just as no fewer than 50 houses and food stuff were burnt over the weekend in a violent clash between Pokekerek and Yadenden communities in Shongom Local Government Area of Gombe State.

The dispute was over a piece of farmland which both communities are laying claim to its ownership.

However, rising from an emergency State Security Council meeting on Monday chaired by Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, the Gome State Government condemned the violence and called for calm.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Julius Ishaya and his counterpart in the Ministry of Internal Security and Ethical Orientation, Adamu Kupto Dishi, said the State Government had directed all stakeholders under the leadership of the Mai Kaltungo, Malam Saleh Mohammed to engage the youths from all communities with the aim of restoring peace.

Ishaya said the Security Council noted the damage that resulted from the carnage and expressed concern over the difficulties and destruction brought on the people of both communities, adding that the state government also called on security agents to investigate and bring perpetrators of the heinous act to book.

The Government also directed security agents to ensure the ban on all militia groups is maintained.

The traditional ruler in the Chiefdom, Mai Kaltungo, Malam Saleh Mohammed, thanked the State Government for the quick intervention that forestalled further escalation of the crises, saying that the people had never experienced such.

Mohammed promised that he, along with other stakeholders will continue to sensitize the people on the need for tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

He called on the people to remain calm and embrace each other so that the development that is being experienced would be continued.

Our correspondent gathered that no arrest has so far been made.