Gombe State Government in North-East Nigeria says it will deploy a new approach in dealing with the Lunguda-Waja crisis in the communities in Balanga Local Government Area.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, said this during his visit to the affected areas in Nyuwar and Gilengitu, accompanied by heads of security agencies after renewed attacks claimed some lives in the communities.
The Governor expressed deep concern over the renewed hostilities between the Lunguda and Waja speaking communities of Balanga Local Government Area of the State.
While suing for peace, Governor Yahaya warned that his administration would not spare any person or group bent on instigating violence and unleashing mayhem to achieve selfish desires.
He explained that his administration had been diplomatic in ensuring an amicable resolution of the Lunguda/Waja crisis in keeping with the homegrown solution for peace, but said the time had come for the government to re-strategise to stop the recurring decimal.
The Gombe State Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, gave the people the assurances that the perpetrators of the violence would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“There is hardly any dividing line between the people of Lunguda and Waja in view of their long-standing historical relationships covering critical areas like inter-marriages, cultural heritage and social ceremonies,” said Governor Yahaya.
The Gombe State Governor called on the traditional and community leaders and the entire people of the area to cooperate with the government and security agencies deployed to ensure safety and security in their communities.
While at the Internally Displaced Persons Camp, IDPs, in Jessu, where some of the victims are taking refuge, he gave them the assurance of the government’s immediate intervention to cushion their sufferings, while emphasizing the need for the people of Lunguda and Waja to eschew violence in all its forms.
The District Head of Nyuwar, Mr. James Pisagih appealed for more decisive action to deal with the perpetrators of the violence.
“Of course, the Governor has done well in deploying security forces to maintain the peace but we are appealing to him as our leader to arrest and prosecute those instigating violence in this area,” Mr. Pisagih said.
It will be recalled that due to the perennial clashes between the Lunguda and Waja communities spread between Adamawa and Gombe states, the Governors of the two states, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri had convened a peace meeting in Numan, Adamawa state.
The meeting brought leaders of both communities to their respective states, where they discussed ways to achieve lasting peace in both communities, considered brothers who co-existed for time immemorial.
Recalled also that during the meeting, tagged the “Numan Peace Accord,” an agreement was signed for the rebirth of peace and its sustenance among Lunguda and Waja communities.
