Mai Tangale Stool: 3 died, 10 others arrested in Billiri
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
Gombe State Police Commissioner, CP Shehu Maikudi, has confirmed 3 unidentified persons dead and 10 others arrested following the protest and eventual eventual breakdown of law and order in Billiri.
Recall that group of women had been involved in a peaceful protest over an alleged planned announcement of an unpopular candidate to the stool of the Mai Tangale, following the demise of late Abdu Buba Maisheru.
Maikudi disclosed this on Saturday, when the Governor Inuwa Yahaya, led some members of the State Government on assessment tour of the destruction of lives and property in Billiri LGA.
He said, “So far we have arrested 10 suspects and we are still counting. About three (3) people died during the cause of incident.”
On his part, Governor Yahaya said the perpetrators of violence in Billiri community will not go unpunished.
He added that efforts are ongoing to restore lasting peace in the area.
Yahaya said, “If the people were peaceful it wouldn’t have resulted in this, so it was not peaceful. Naturally, the law must take it cause because the people that perpetrated this dastardly act have been arrested we will not allow this to go without digging to the root of the matter. I will continue to plead for peace, so that things will go back to normal.”
However, in a State-wide broadcast on Saturday evening, Yahaya said the curfew will continue until calm returns to the area.
While calling on opinion moulders to exercise restraint in their utterances, for the sake of peace.
According to him, “The eruption of violence in Billiri LGA has left us with no option than to declare a 24-hour curfew to further stem the spread of violence, loss of lives and destruction of property. To this end, Government is withholding any decision on the new Mai Tangale until normalcy returns to the affected communities. I have noted with dismay the dangerous campaign of incitement and polarization waged by some unscrupulous elements on social media. Government will vigorously discharge its role of protecting innocent citizens and combating criminality and violence anywhere in Gombe State.
“Government is calling on our traditional, religious and opinion leaders to prevail on their people on the need to remain calm, peaceful and law abiding. I am also calling on the media to refrain from promoting fake news and other divisive and inciteful narratives. Government in collaboration with relevant Security Agencies has put in place adequate measures to ensure the protection of lives and property of all the people living in Gombe State. Our cherished peace and stability in Gombe State is bigger than the selfish interest or ambition of any individual or group.”
What about the propertys that meny of thema stole and take it to thare home