Waja/Lunguda: 15 persons lost to Nyuwar, Jessu attack – Gov Yahaya
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
No fewer than 15 persons have been confirmed dead, following the invasion of Gunmen into Nyuwar and Hemen (Jessu) communities in Balanga local government area of Gombe State, where many houses were razed while property worth several millions of naira were destroyed .
Speaking during an on spot assessment, Gombe State governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, along side Commissioner of Police, Ishola Babatunde Babaita, called for calm while assuring that perpetrators would be identified and punished.
He appealed to them against reprisal and assured them that government would send palliative to them first thing on Wednesday.
Yahaya Said, “You can see the level of damage, lives have been lost here in Hemen (7 ) seven people have died, and in Nyuwar (8) right people have died totaling 15 people. Not only that you have seen the properties, you have seen stores where they kept food items.
“We have seen the level of destruction and we are not happy about this development. We are going to follow it up to ensure it doesn’t happen again, we will ensure those that committed this crime are brought to justice.
“I have already directed the commissioner for internal security to liase with commissioner for special duties to bring palliative; in form of materials, food and even right now I have asked that they be given a token for food items for tonight.
“It was yesterday (Monday) night that they crossed from the other side to get to them from Nyuwar. As for the curfew it will remain until normalcy returns.”
While answering questions on the need to involve his counterpart in Adamawa Ahmadu Fintiri towards finding lasting solution to the perennial crisis, he said he has commenced talks with relevant persons.
“Before I left office to this place I spoke to the Adamawa state governor and he got to the Commissioner of police and the chief Lunguda. We shall ensure will get to the end of this problem,” the governor added.
On his part, Commissioner of police Babaita said immediately he learnt about the crisis he swung into action.
“I had to mobilize men from the various squadrons 34 & 39 and some other tactical teams to come with their men. So with the help of security agencies the place has been fortified to ensure peace returns. The curfew is to last between 6pm to 8am and our men are here to ensure it,” Babaita said.
Also, a resident of Nyuwar who identified himself as Mr. Dibi Simon Tsaga, gave the names of those who were lost as; Naphtali, Sambi Alisa, Kenneth Raymon, Mercy Laban, Gamba Hazel, Caleb Pisagi, Takili, while the eight victim he said was a senior brother to Deeper life pastor.
According to him, the beginning of the crisis stemmed from farmland tussle which happened in Adamawa State between Lunguda and Waja ethnic groups in 2017.
Tsaga noted that the invasion of Nyuwar community inhabited by Lunguda ethnic group by 300 gunmen suspected to be Waja people last Monday night, took them by surprise.
Waja and Lunguda ethnic groups, have history of communal clashes.
Heavily armed Nigerian Army, the police and other security agencies were seen keeping watch in the troubled communities to restore calm.
The communities share border with Adamawa State, and also hosts internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are victims of communal clashes from neighbouring Adamawa State.
Allah ya tsayar haka ya kare na gaba