Five allegedly killed over Goje’s visit to Gombe
Gombe state Government has announced that five persons were allegedly killed following the violence that ensued on Friday, during the former governor Danjuma Goje’s entry into the state for a wedding fatiha.
The government also blamed the senator saying that, “Gombe state has been witnessing relative peace and harmony due largely to the determination and avowed commitment of Governor Inuwa Yahaya.”
According to a statement which was signed by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Julius Ishaya, he said the mayhem was caused by the visit of a former Governor of the state and Senator representing Gombe Central, Sen. Danjuma Goje.
The statement partly said, “The former Governor, in his characteristic manner, decided to mobilize thugs from various LGAs armed to their teeth under the pretext of accompanying him from the airport into the State capital for reasons best known to him.
“Recall that during the last Eid el-Kabir Sallah celebration, the same person sponsored some thugs that threw caution into the wind and went on rampage, leading to loss of 2 lives. Also just last week at Deba in Yamaltu Deba LGA the same scenario played out at the instance of the Senator.”
While assuring the protection of lives and property, the statement noted that those behind the incident are punished.
“In that direction and therefore the government would not stand by and watch desperate politicians unleash terror and violence on innocent citizens to the extent of getting people killed.
“While sympathising with families of the five people killed and those who sustained various degrees of injuries, Government commends the security agencies for their timely intervention in bringing the ugly situation under control.
“Government will make sure that perpetrators of the unfortunate act, no matter how highly placed are brought to book,” Ishaya added.
Recall that the relationship between the current governor Muhammadu Yahaya, and his old time political mentor became questionable, when the governor was quoted to have said, “Between a senator and a governor who is greater.”
However, Goje has been absent in a number of political engagements, from the election of state party executives to their inauguration, and stakeholders meeting in the recent past few months. Although, he began the process leading to the party elections where they agreed on consensus.
Earlier, Goje’s aide Lilian Nworie, who confirmed the violence described the event as unfortunate, adding that it was targeted at the former governor.
Nworie said, “Distinguished senator’s trip was peaceful until when the governor’s aides including his aide-de-camp and his personal driver blocked the road. For two hours, they unleashed terror on Senator Goje and those in his convoy.
“It is unfortunate that one live was lost and many cars vandalised including the Senator’s vehicle. They smashed the windscreen. All efforts to make the governor’s aide-de-camp remove the blockade yielded no result as he insisted that he got instruction from the above that the former governor should not be allowed into the town.”
She revealed that the governor’s driver, Aminu Hula and Gombe State APC Youth Leader, Kawu Lero have been arrested by the State Police Command.
“They have been arrested but the aide-de-camp who led the people to attack the former governor had since returned to those who sent him. The aide-de-camp said he was acting based on order from the above. In this case, it is his boss, Gombe State Governor,” she added.
