Gombe Assembly meets in extra-ordinary session over violence in Billiri

The Gombe state House of Assembly has expressed its dismay over the recent happenings in Billiri, Billiri Local Government Area, where property worth millions of naira were destroyed by some miscreants in the guise of protesting over the selection of Mai Tangale.

In a statement, members in an extra-ordinary session unanimously condemned in strong terms the dastard act, which they described as retrogressive and tantamount to creating acrimony between the different ethnic and religious groups in the area.

The statement urged the state government to bring to book those who perpetrated the heinous act and compensate those who lost their properties to the mayhem.

It also sympathized with the victims of the carnage while wishing quick recovery to those who sustained injuries.

The House also commended the prompt action taken by the Executive Governor of Gombe State Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa in bringing the situation under control and the distribution of palliatives to the internally displaced persons and urged him to continue with the spirit.

It called on traditional, community and religious leaders to calm down their followers and preach the gospel of peaceful co-existence to avert reprisals.

The House also resolved to call for the continuation of the curfew imposed in the Local Government until normalcy is returned to the area

The Speaker of the House, Mr. Abubakar Mohammed Luggerewo, urged the state government to continue to maintain the curfew imposed on the town of Billiri, following the ugly turn of the protest that began in a peaceful mode but ended in the destruction of lives and properties.

“We call on the Government to set up a commission of enquiry into the remote and the immediate cause of the violence and appropriate recommendations on the way forward,” the Speaker said.

Commission of inquiry

The house also called for the setting up a commission of inquiry to investigate the remote and immediate cause of the incident and make recommendations.

The house also reiterated its readiness to support the State Governor in taking appropriate steps of resolving the crisis.

One of the Members of the house Representing Billiri East Constituency, Mr. Rambi Ibrahim Ayala said he was saddened by the occurrence. He called for peace and compensation to those who lost their properties in the violence.

Emmanuel Ukoh