Gombe Gov receives report on Billiri crisis, vows to deal with culprits
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, on Wednesday received the report on Billiri Crisis, where property valued in millions were destroyed.
Recall that the inquiry was set up based on wanton killings and destruction, which ensued from the delay to name the contender to the ‘Mai Tangle’ stool with the highest votes which led to breakdown of law and order.
The governor assured that the recommendations contained in the report submitted by the Commission of Inquiry into the February Billiri violent crisis would be thoroughly analysed and implemented to guard against future occurrence.
Yahaya stated this while receiving the Commission’s report at the Council Chamber of the Government House, Gombe.
According to him, Billiri crisis that led to the setting up of the Commission of Inquiry constituted the greatest challenge his administration had faced in the last two years and four months of its stewardship.
He said, “And we take it as something that has been predetermined by God because is only God that guides and controls whatever that happens to humanity.
“We will impose sanctions where necessary to maintain the excellent relationship going forward.”
While assuring that his administration would carefully study the matters and the circumstances that led to the violent crisis so as to guard against future occurrence, he described it as unfortunate.
“I am not surprised my lord that it took you this long to go through this process because the enormity of the task is very high and not only that, as a Justice of a high court of Bauchi State then, you were among those thorough and very diligent jurists on your job so also all the members of the commission,” he added.
Speaking earlier, Chairman of the Commission, Justice Mahmoud Gurama (retd.) said a total of 181 petitions and memoranda were received out of which 154 were heard and determined while 27 were struck out for want of merit or outright withdrawal by the petitioners.
“The Commission had to ask for more days considering the tremendous response from the people of Billiri Local Government, the security and other agencies in the State,” Gurama said.
