Map of Bauchi State
ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
Scores of people have been killed while farms and properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed in a communal clash between two border communities in Bauchi and Gombe states.
This was disclosed by the member representing Ganjuwa East Constituency in the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Gazali Wunti, during plenary of the House of Assembly on Wednesday.
According to him, the unfortunate incident happened between Gungura community in Ganjuwa LGA of Bauchi state and Buri-buri community of Dukku LGA of Gombe State.
The lawmaker who did not specify the exact number of people killed in the incident, said people from Dukku LGA of Gombe State attacked a village called Bara in Gungura ward.
Speaking under matters of urgent public importance, Wunti who said that the incident happened on Tuesday at about 3:00am, added that the incident had been recurring for some time but efforts to settle the disputes have failed.
“So many committees were formed in the past to resolved the border disputes but all efforts ended in futility.
“They have been attacking the people of the area and destroying their properties and now it even include loss of lives,” he said.
Wunti stated that people of his constituency have been patient for so many years on the damages being perpetuated on them saying: “They destroyed their farms and properties worth millions of naira. The communities now resort to engage volunteers and vigilante to guard their farms.
He urged the Assembly to send a committee to sympathize with them and ask government to take urgent actions on the matter.
While expressing sadness on the situation, the Speaker of the House, Abubakar Suleiman, said that the House will take urgent action on the matter.
Also, the Member representing Kirfi Constituency, Abdulkadir Dewu, in his contribution, described the incident as worrisome which needs urgent intervention.
He suggested that since the issue involved security, a joint committee on special duties and security should be tasked to go and sympathize with people of the area.
Another Member, Bakoji Bobbo, representing Chiroma Constituency, opined that sending a committee is not a solution, since there is Boundary Committee in the state under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Governor, Baba Tela, the House should urgently write to the executive arm and “ask the boundaries committee to take the matter urgently so that they will make contact with the Gombe State Government.
“Meanwhile the House can send its committee to sympathize with the people of the area.”
The Deputy Speaker, Danlami Kawule also said that the government should take action immediately while the two committees should go and sympathize with the people of the area.
The House adopted the motion and directed the clerk to communicate the resolution to the executive arm and asked the house committees on security and special duties to go and sympathize with the people.