Group exonerates security agencies over the killing of 12 persons in Billiri, blames Gombe Gov
Tangale Community Overseas (TCO), on Friday exonerated security operatives on the recent killing of 12 persons in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State, thereby blaming the Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya for not being proactive.
Our correspondent had reported the viral intelligence circulated online which had official stamp of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
However, it was denied by the State Commandant Samson Wabulari, who said the corps had no knowledge on any impending attack on the community by alleged Fulani herders, stressing that the command has modes of quelling attack instead of causing panic.
According to a statement titled “What is this bleating of sheep in our ears”? Gov. Inuwa Yahaya’s War on the Tangale Community, which was signed by the group’s secretary Lamela Lakorok, said the assailants were drawn from outside of the state.
The statement partly read; “The Tangale community ushers in the new year with tears as they buried twelve young men whom Fulani herders massacred in their homes. No doubt, the state security agency did its job by providing intelligence early enough to save lives, and we applaud them for that.
“We also thank our dear neighbours of Fulani extraction, with whom we have lived for centuries, who have provided intelligence on the planned attacks on the Tangale people. We are keenly aware that the marauding attackers are not our local Fulani neighbours but imported from outside Gombe state. Everyone with common sense knows the attack is unprecedented in the entire Gombe state. Therefore, the commonsense question is, why this time? What circumstances are behind the sudden targetting of the Tangale people and the murder of people created in the image of God?”
While bemoaning the failure of Government to confirm or condemn the attack on the community, the group frowned on what it termed as attempt of Government to distort fact.
“It is no secret that Governor Inuwa has targeted the Tangale community, as we noted in several press releases and articles. Unfortunately, the state has refused to protect the citizenry by denying the intelligence memo. Instead, it resorted to shameless lies and misrepresentation of facts.
“As if that is not enough, no one has heard the voice of the governor either confirming or condemning the massacre. Is the governor not the chief security officer of Gombe state? Is this the typical response of a leader? No, the man is not just biased against the Tangale people; he has set his mind against them for harm,” Lakorok added.
