ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
The Bauchi State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew as a measure to contain the spread of the violent clash between rival restive youths of Yelwan Tsakani, a sub-urb of Bauchi metropolis on Friday night.
This is even as the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Umar Sanda, has said that the deaths in the incident have increased to two.
The state government, in a media statement signed by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Aminu Gamawa, warned that it will not allow criminal elements disrupt the hard-earned peace being enjoyed in the state.
“It would be recalled that in the evening hours of Friday the 27th day of May, 2022, some miscreants in Yelwa and its environs in Bauchi LGA took laws into their hands and embarked on looting properties, burning houses, cars, and attacking innocent citizens for reasons currently under investigation by the authority.
“Government will not fold its arms and allow some criminal elements and their sponsors to disturb the hard-eamed peace, security and harmony being enjoyed in Bauchi State.
“Following an emergency security meeting held today, 28th May, 2022, there have been massive deployment of security personnel to restore and maintain peace in the affected areas. Free medical care is being provided to the injured.
“The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has been directed to assess the level of damage, causality and provide relief materials to the affected victims immediately.
“The Government has ordered a full scale investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the disturbances and those found culpable will be dealt with according to the law.
“In view of the foregoing, a 24-hour curfew is hereby imposed in Yelwa and its environs, especially Lushi, Tsakani, Kagadama and Birshi Areas of Bauchi LGA. This action is not intended to cause hardship to people but to ensure the restoration of peace and order. The timings for the curfew will be reviewed from time to time as peace returns,” the statement reads.
Sanda, who led Journalists to the scene of clash, said that the incident was caused by a clash between two rival groups over a woman noting that the Police in collaboration with other security agencies are on top of the situation as normalcy is gradually returning to the area.
He said: “The number of death is now two, many were injured, five houses completely burnt down, threw cars and a number of motorcycles were also burnt down.
“Preliminary investigation has revealed that the clash was between the two rival youth groups because of a lady. We are spreading our investigative tentacles to fish out the perpetrators of the clash and just as we did for those behind the Gudum Hausawa clash who are now in jail, same thing will be done with anyone found culpable here.”
Sanda stressed the need to live peaceful with each other saying that, “God has a reason for creating us differently, Muslims and Christians, different tribes. We must tolerate one another for peace to reign” .
He called on traditional rulers and religious leaders to always preach peace among their followers because according to him, that is their responsibility.
Speaking on the curfew imposed by the state government, he said that, “The state government has imposed the curfew and we as security agencies are ready to enforce it. As soon as I leave this place, the enforcement of the curfew begins.
“Everyone should remain indoors, the curfew will remain until peace returns to the area. The curfew will affect all of the place from the main road to Yelwa Police Division and every other settlement within the affected area.”
In a remark, the District Head of Miri, Hussaini Abubakar, expressed sadness over the clash saying that it was uncalled for and condemnable calling for restraint from people of the area.
He then assured that as traditional rulers they will continue to educate their subjects on essence of peace and peaceful co-existence among the people irrespective of ethno-religious sentiments.
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