Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has ordered the establishment of a Police outpost in Amtawalam and Pobaure Communities in Billiri Local Government Area of the state.
This order comes after suspected bandits and rustlers attacked the communities on Wednesday morning.
The governor said this while on a sympathy visit to the two villages under Kalmai District of Billiri Local Government Area, where recent attacks claimed three lives and left many houses and foodstuffs burnt.
He directed that the security post or police station be established in order to tackle the security challenges in the area, which is becoming a recurring decimal.
Governor Yahaya was conducted round the scenes of the incident to see for himself the level of destruction and also sympathise with the affected families.
“We’ve seen for ourselves and we’ve taken steps. I have directed the setting up of a police outpost, with a relevant number of policemen and other security agencies to come and enforce security, law and order in this place. And I will make sure by the Grace of God, that we take the necessary steps to safeguard the lives and property of the people, knowing full well that Gombe is really a peaceful state and there is no way we shall open up for criminals to infiltrate and take activities of crime and criminalities into to Gombe State,” Governor Yahaya said.
He described the incident as unfortunate and dastardly while maintaining that his government would live up to its responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the people, as the primary function of the government.
“Security of lives and property of the citizenry always tops our government’s priorities. The government is established to serve two purposes: protection of lives and properties of the people and bringing about development. This is what our government stands for,” Governor Yahaya said.
Community Policing
The Governor called on the people to intensify efforts towards participating in community policing to complement the efforts of security operatives.
“What is happening today in North West where cattle rustling, banditry and kidnappings become rampant will not be allowed in Gombe State. People should be vigilant of new faces in their neighbourhood and report any suspicious persons or movement to relevant authorities,” Governor Yahaya emphasised.
Relief Materials
The governor’s visit was also accompanied by foodstuffs and other relief materials, which the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Abdullahi Haruna Abdullahi, said was given to provide succour to the victims.
He listed out the items provided as, 200 bags of rice, 200 bags of beans, 200 bags of maize, 8 Cartons of vegetable oil, 180 pieces of blankets, 189 pieces of mats, 10 cartons of soap, 126 mattresses, 200, treated mosquito nets and some essential drugs.
The Chairperson of Billiri Local Government Council, Mrs Margaret Bitrus, commended Governor Yahaya’s show of concern over the unfortunate incident.
The District Head of Kalmai, Mr. Amadu Zubairu, appreciated the governor for identifying with the communities, saying that “it is the first time an executive governor of Gombe State is visiting the community to identify with them over any good or unfortunate incidences”.
He said suspected cattle rustlers had earlier in November launched a series of attacks on the villages around the community, rustling cattle and killing two innocent people.
Mr. Zubairu said, with the visit of Governor Yahaya and the actions taken by the government, those who fled the area and took shelter in neighbouring communities would now have the confidence to come back and continue with their normal life.
While at the Mai Tangle’s Palace in Billiri, Governor Yahaya instructed the Monarch to summon all stakeholders in his chiefdom, especially the traditional leaders, hunters, vigilantes and heads of Fulani settlements, to discuss the way forward in tackling what has now become a recurring mayhem.
“All the Security heads you see here are just here in the State to support us for a while but will leave back to their respective states someday leaving us to our fate therefore nobody will protect our communities but ourselves, as such I am suggesting the inclusion of responsible Youths in this endeavour,” Governor Yahaya stressed.
Restore Law and Order
Meanwhile, the Gombe State Police Commissioner, Mr. Oqua Etim, said the command had sent its personnel to restore law and order during the incident.
He said that the directives for the establishment of a security post in the area would be followed through, in collaboration with other security agencies to sustain security patrols in the area, pending when a Police State would be fully established in the area.
Confidence Okwuchi
