Shongom Farmers/ Herders Clash: Gombe Deputy Gov sues for peace as calm gradually returns
…commits to punishment of culprits
The Gombe State Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau, has decried the recent crises between Farmers and Herders in Lapan, Shongom Local Government Area describing it as barbaric and heartless.
The Deputy Governor who led a high-powered Government delegation to the Palace of Mai Kaltungo Engineer Saleh Mohammed, and to Lapan in Shongom Local Government Area, described the situation as quite lamentable that people who profess God and religion will be found perpetrating act of wickedness against humanity.
He said, “from the pictures I have seen about the barbaric acts committed in the affected places in Lapan, it is quite unbelievable that those who committed these claims to know God. Religion teaches us about God and humanity, but where there is no such recognition in our behaviours we become worst than those who didn’t believe in life in the hereafter.
“We attend Churches, and Mosques, we have family heads, community and religious leaders, village and District Heads, who should teach us morality and to whom we shall make known all our grievances where possible but we chose to behave like lower animals without any sense and feelings of love, justice and fair treatment. This is very unacceptable.
“We will ensure bringing to book every one found directly or indirectly culpable and ensure they are made to face the wrath of the law to serve as deterrent to others. As the Chairman, Appointment, Discipline and Promotion of Traditional Rulers in the state, I vow to remove any traditional ruler(s) found to be involved in instigation, aiding or abating the crises.”
He appreciated the Mai Kaltungo who has always shown inclination to peace and unity, pointing out that he has justified the recognition given him as Ambassador of Peace sometimes back, calling on the people of the Chiefdom to support the Mai for peace to prevail in the chiefdom.
Speaking in his Palace in Kaltungo Local Government Area and in Lapan, Shongom Local Government Area, the Mai Kaltungo, Mohammed said, the Tangale and the Fulani, ( farmers and the Herders) in the area have co-existed peacefully for so many years and wondered what came over them to be cut in the web of crises.
He said, the two persons who, were purported to have been the genesis of the crises fought and wounded themselves and have been apprehended by the security agencies, wondering why would some people take advantage of that to escalate the crises.
The Mai who was vividly worried by the incident, assured the Herders of protection and urged them to remain in the area and not to relocate to anywhere.
He called on the Tangale Community in the area to be ready to rebuild the burnt down houses of the Herders, to provide them with clothing and food since they are their brothers, and have no where to go.
The Honourable Commissioner of Agriculture, Alhaji Mohammed Magaji Gettado, took time to explain in Fulfulde to the Herders to rescind their decision of relocating, pledging that Government would ensure they are protected and that normalcy returns to the area.
At Kaltungo, the Leader of Shongom Local Government Herders, Alh. Badikko Daudu noted that they were greatly devastated by the incidence but since the Mai Kaltungo has always shown them concern as a father they are ready to obey whatever he directs.
” We have lived in the Chiefdom for so long. Most of us, our parents were born in this place. If we leave this place where do we go to. We have no any intention of relocating from here, especially that we have a father like the Mai Kaltungo who has shown us fatherly love” he emphasised
In Lapan, one of the community leaders Landa Kalawa appreciated the visit by the government and the efforts of the Mai Kaltungo for always fostering peace in his Chiefdom.
He said, in almost every community there are people who always allow themselves to be deceived by the devil there by creating deep hatred and crises amongst the people, praying God that something like this never happen again in the area.
The Deputy Governor’s entourage include; the Secretary to the State Government; Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, Honourable Commissioners; Special Advisers; Directors-General; Representative of Commissioner of Police; Commander 301 Artillery Regiment; Director State Security Service, among others.
Wilson Jonah Yakubu
Press Secretary/Information officer.
Deputy Governor’s Office.
