…assures govt’ll continue to collaborate with security agencies
SEGUN BABATUNDE, Gombe
Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has urged community leaders in the state to educate and caution their subjects on the essence of peace in the society, saying his administration will continue to collaborate with security agencies to safeguard the lives and property of the citizenry.
The governor stated this on Thursday when he paid a condolence visit to Filiya community over the farmers-herders’ clashes as well as communal skirmishes that claimed lives and property in the area a few weeks ago as well as on the demise of a senior non-commissioned officer in the Nigerian Navy, Master Warrant Officer Abubakar Garba Bello, who died after a protracted illness.
Speaking at the palace of the District Head of Filiya, Governor Inuwa underscored the importance of peace and security to the development of any community.
He expressed sympathy with the victims of the clash and the families of those who lost their lives.
He pleged to continue to provide social amenities and other necessary infrastructure for the development of Filiya community and the entire state, disclosing that his administration would soon commence the construction of Filiya-Gundale Road project.
“Aside from the ongoing Diga bridge construction and road network projects that will be carried out here, I also recommended Filiya Community as the right place to benefit the Cottage Hospital that will be constructed very soon by Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) as part of the organisation’s corporate social responsibility,” he said.
In his welcome remarks, Chairman, Shongom Local Government Council, Mr Yohanna Nahari, thanked Governor Yahaya for identifying with the community in their moment of grief.
In his response, the District Head of Filiya, Alhaji Shaibu Ibrahim, appreciated the governor for the visit, urging him to intervene in resettling the affected victims of the communal clash to enable them to return to their homes.
He also thanked the governor for bringing dividends of democracy to their area and for his commitment to ensuring the restoration of peace.
He told the governor that many victims affected by the unfortunate violence lost their belongings, adding that such people needed government’s intervention to continue their livelihood.
The governor also proceeded to the residence of former member, representing Shongom/ Kaltungo federal constituency, Hon. Fatima Binta Bello, who lost her elder brother.
Governor Yahaya described the death of the late senior military officer as a huge loss, not only to his community but the state in general.
Governor Yahaya’s entourage included member of House of Representatives, Hon. Simon Elisha Karu; members of House of Assembly; Chief of Staff, Government House, Abubakar Inuwa Kari; APC chieftain, Abubakar Habu Muazu (Yeriman Kashere); Arch Yunusa Yakubu, commissioners and other government functionaries.