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The SSG addressing displaced persons in one of the IDPs camps in the area
By Akanji Alowolodu, Gombe
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has stressed the need for peaceful coexistence among the various communities in the state for development and growth to take place.
The Governor particularly reiterated the call for Waja and Lunguda communities in Balanga LGA of the state to accommodate and tolerate each other having been destined to live together by God.
Inuwa Yahaya who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi was speaking when he led others to pay a sympathy visit to Nyuwar, Gelengetu and Jessu Communities over last Friday’s hostilities between the Waja and Lunguda.
The SSG who was also in the company of security heads and top Government officials expressed government concern over the re-occuring violent clashes between the two communities appealing to the two faction to embrace peace.
While reiterating the need for peaceful co- existence among the Waja and the Lunguda communities, he said that henceforth, government will not fold its arms and watched some unscrupulous elements take the law into their hands.
He warned that anyone found instigating trouble anywhere in the state will be made to face the full wrath of the law no matter his/her status and position in the society.
The Government delegation also visited Internally Displaced People’s (IDPs) camp in Jessu where the he assured of Government immediate intervention for the supply of food and other items required for living in such conditions.
In all the place visited, Abubakar Njodi on behalf of the Governor preacheed peace, patience, tolerance and a call for all parties in eschew bitterness for peace to reign.
It will be recalled that Nyuwar was on Friday, 3rd June attacked again for the fifth time by suspected Waja Militia.
According to eye witness, one Jonathan Hussain, a Lunguda farmer, they were in their farm planting seeds when some Waja Youths approached them and chased them away with cutlasses, stones and sticks, saying “no Lunguda farmer will farm on their farms”.
He said that the case was reported to the Security agents adding that the tension grew stronger as the Waja began to mobilize and moved into the Lunguda territory where some houses at Pandi were burnt down.
According to him, the Security agents tried to repel the attackers but because of their large number coming from different directions they could not curtail them.
Jonathan Hussain said that the attackers wanted to penetrate into the Lunguda territory but the Lunguda Youths stood their ground and put a defense until reinforcement came from the security organs comprising the personnel of the Nigerian Army and Police before the situation was calmed.
It will recalled that Nyuwar was attacked on the 13th – 18th April 2021, 26th – 27th July 2021 while the 4th attack came this year, on 8th February 2022 and now the fifth attack on Friday 3rd June 2022.
As of the time of writing this report, one life was lost, many sustained injuries, some houses were burnt down properties worth Thousands of Naira destroyed.
The Community according to him is therefore calling on the state Government to have a listening ear to the cry of the Lunguda in Nyuwar stressing that the Government has been silent in all the previous attacks on them.
When contacted, Gombe State Police Command confirmed the clash but said that it was still compiling the report of the incident and will make statement very soon.
