Misau Clash: Governor Mohammed Suspends LG Caretaker Committee Chairman, Others

…Sets up 13 man probe panel

BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – Governor Bala Mohammed has announced the immediate suspension of the Caretaker Chairman of Misau Local Government Area, Yaro Mohammed Gwaram, his Deputy and the Council Secretary for failure to act to avert the violent clash between herders and farmers which claimed 9 lives in the area on Monday and Tuesday.

The Governor also announced the setting up of a 13-man investigative panel to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the communal clash in Zadawa village of Misau Local Government Area of the state.

He also announced the appointment of Ish Kufai, a one-time elected Chairman of Toro LGA as the Sole Administrator of Misau LGA.

Addressing journalists shortly after chairing an emergency security meeting at Government House, Bauchi, Governor Mohammed said the Investigative panel headed by Air Commodore Tijjani Baba Gamawa (rtd), is expected to submit its report within the next three weeks.

A visibly angry Mohammed said that the timely set up of the investigation panel is to enable the state government avert the occurrence of such incident, not only in the area, but across the state.

He directed the Commissioner of Police for Bauchi State to immediately mobilise a Police Mobile Unit to Misau alongside personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to provide security and maintain law and order in the affected area.

Governor Mohammed said; “After we discussed extensively with all the stakeholders on the current happenings in Misau Local Government Area where we had some clashes which resulted in the loss of 9 lives and many injuries, we agreed to look at the situation to avert its reoccurrence.

“Based on the information at our disposal, we have taken measures to control this very ugly situation. We have decided to suspend the Chairman, his deputy and the Secretary pending the outcome of the investigation panel”.

The Governor called on the people of the area to be law abiding and vowed that anyone found culpable will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

He commiserated with the deceased family on behalf of the government and people of Bauchi state.

The Bauchi State Police Command on Tuesday confirmed that nine people were killed while six others were seriously injured following a clash between herders and farmers over ownership of land in the area.