The Gombe State Police Command has called on the Tangale Chiefdom protesters in Billliri Local Government Area of the state to vacate the Yola-Gombe road they blocked and desist from taking actions that could lead to the breach of peace in the area.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmed Maikudi Shehu, told journalists in Gombe that it was not right for the protesters to block the road because they were also infringing on the rights of other road users, over what they alleged as a delay in the announcement of a replacement for the late monarch, Mai Tanglem, Abdu Buba Maisharu II, who died early this year.
Instead, he said they should seek dialogue in order to resolve the matter.
The Gombe State Commissioner of Police said it was not right for the people, made up of women and children, to pre-empt the governor’s decision, when no pronouncement had been made yet by the State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
It will be recalled that the people of Tangale have been protesting since last Wednesday on the alleged delay in announcing Dr Usa Idris Mai Yamba, who scored five votes out of the nine Kingmakers, amongst two other contestants, who also got two votes each.
However, the people of the chiefdom said since the election was conducted, the governor was delaying the announcement, because he was planning to give the throne to one of the contestants who did not score the highest votes.
In response, the Commissioner of Police in the state explained that there were other avenues for expressing such grievances than taking to street protest, where the road has been blocked for over three days now.
He said the police would not use force because that would affect innocent lives, but that the protesters should rather choose dialogue to resolve the matter.
For now, he said wide consultations were ongoing for the state government to take a decision on who takes over the throne of the Mai Tangle.
Mr Shehu, however, said the command had put in place measures in and around Billiri town to restore sanity and order.
“The Command advises the general public, most especially the people to shield their sword and embrace the part of peace,” said CP Shehu.
He further disclosed that the state government was also making far-reaching consultations with relevant stakeholders on who becomes the next Mai Tangle and that in due course the pronouncement would be made.
PIAK
