Association Decries Killing of Five Persons in Billiri LGA
……laments over 100 million naira lost to the attack
By Chima Azubuike
A group under the aegis of Kwagam Tangle Socio-cultural Association has decried the killing of five persons in Amtawalam and Pobawure communities , Kalmai district Billiri LGA of Gombe State.
The Association in a statement made available to PERISCOPE NIGERIA lamented the continuous invasion of its community by suspected herdsmen, urging authorities for immediate establishment of police outpost to protect lives and property.
Recall that Governor Muhammadu Yahaya and the Commissioner of Police Oqua Etim, visited the victims of the attack, where Yahaya described the masterminds as bandits.
Kwagam Tangle Socio-cultural Association disclosed that the death toll has increased to five, with over a 100 million naira lost in the recent attack.
The statement partly read, “Following the attacks on by Fulani militia on 28 November and 06 December 2022, KTSCA went round the two villages and conducted an on the spot assessment of the damages unleashed by the attackers. After a careful investigation, the Association hereby issues the following statements: It was established that as a result of the attack by Fulani militia, the locals suffered unimaginable losses of lives and properties worth over one hundred Million Naira. Some of the losses include five people who were gruesomely murdered; one slaughtered, two burnt alive, two killed through gunshot wounds while one person was seriously injured and presently receiving treatment at Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH) Gombe. Over eighty cows and twenty sheep were rustled, seven million, eight hundred and sixty thousand Naira were catered away, thirty eight chickens, nine hundred and nine bags of grains, four boxer motorcycles, four hundred and fifty five plastic chairs, twelve pieces of plastic drums, buildings/huts, stores and other items were completely burnt down.
“For over two years the attacks on Tangale communities has been repeatedly sustained by these marauding killers without any meaningful intervention by the Government despite early warning information provided by the communities on the movement of suspected Fulani militia. It was unfortunately reported by eye witnesses that during these attacks on these communities, the soldiers who managed to respond were poorly outfitted with depleted strength and grievously low morale as they took to their heels on sighting the attackers.”
While commending government response efforts, the group urged them to expedite action against curbing a reoccurrence, KTSCA called for inauguration of committee of inquiry into the perennial invasion which has lasted in the last two years, “While the Association appreciate the efforts of Gombe State Governor in providing first aids materials to the affected communities and the proposed establishment of mobile Police Outpost in Amtawalam, KTSCA calls on the government to as a matter of urgency set up a commission of inquiry/compensation committee that will verify the extent of damage suffered by the people of Amtawalam and Pobawure with a view to adequately compensating them.
“The Association also calls on the security personnel especially the Military to establish an Operational Base around Amtawalam general Area in order to checkmate the movement of suspicious persons or groups on that axis. We appeal to the government of Gombe State to encourage and empower local security (vigilante group) organized by various communities at all levels to assist the government provided security personnel in securing our environment.
“The Association also calls on the people of Gombe state generally and Tangale communities in particular, that as a matter of their basic fundamental right to life stand in defense of their environment, be vigilant and proactive in observing the movement of suspicious persons and groups and report such to the appropriate security personnel as security is everybody’s business,” the statement added.
