Ayuba Mafi
The stakeholders of Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro local government areas of Bauchi state have sought Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammad Buhari for immediate intervention over security threats.
Stakeholders made the call in an open letter to the President which was circulated to newsmen in Bauchi under the umbrella of the Conference of Community Development Associations and Religious Leaders Forum Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa local government areas, Bauchi state.
The concerned citizens while describing the call on the President to intervene with a view to salvaging the tense situation, said it was necessary for them to sound the early warning with a view to nipping in the bud, the problem before it gets out of control.
“Your Excellency, this is an early warning distress call in Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa Local government areas of Bauchi state on apparently ill-motivated youth-driven, weird violence, a threat to peace, lives, property, and security, as well as disregard for the rule of law and established authority”, parts of the opened letter said.
While maintaining that the security and welfare of the people is one of the primary responsibilities of government, the concerned citizens raised the alarm that their peace as a People is been threatened.
“As concerned residents in the region, we are alarmed by the development. Granted the recent disturbing state of insecurity which the Federal and Bauchi State governments are both concerned about”, they said.
According to them, as the leaders of the people across ethnic and religious divides, they have their mandate to communicate their concerns, believing that immediate and appropriate actions will be taken by the government to prevent the situation from worsening.
The concerned citizens while recalling that there have been successions of heinous incidents that have made them quite alarmed pointed out that their people are fleeing in fear of terror at a time when communities are celebrating the completion of state and federal government projects.
“The increased rate of banditry, kidnapping, and outright terror is penetrating our territories, threatening peace and security. It should be mentioned that Bauchi is one of the safest and most peaceful states in the north, and we don’t want anything or anyone to halt our growth both as a People and a Community”, they said.
The stakeholders who said they are also concerned about violent incidents and cult-like group activities that posed a threat to peace and security added that some ill-motivated teenagers and bandits, as well as kidnapping and attacks by unknown gunmen, have been reported.
“We have had a series of scenes that have threatened our Peace as a people from the April 18th, 2020 attack in Tafawa Balewa to an attack in July of Mama Rifkatu who was killed on her farm, and Mrs. Mary Alhamdu who was killed on her way back from the farm Within the Borders of Tafawa Balewa LGA, to another Herder attack in Bar Village of Bogoro”, the stakeholders noted.
They said about three people died and a large number were injured in Num community of Tafawa Balewa LGA On 9th May 2022, adding that a similar incident occurred in Tudun Sayawa Village where a Clergyman was attacked on 16th May 2022 in his pastorium.
The concerned citizens lamented the recent disruption of the late Baba Peter Gonto’s memorial anniversary in Bogoro, in December last year, describing the brazen destruction of properties and killing of some targeted people as the most horrifying of the serial cases of violence in the two LGs.
They said that the reluctance of the Cult-Like gang to allow the late Baba Peter Gonto’s family to bury their slain brother, Mr. Aralla Peter Gonto, is clear evidence that the Violent and Cult-Like organizations in Mwari are motivated, contrived, and directed by their cohorts.
The stakeholders while describing Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro as one of the most notable flashpoints for violence in recent memory said there have been sporadic attacks by unknown gunmen and kidnappings of prominent elders which has been heightening fear and apprehension among the law-abiding citizens.
“We recognize that no community can thrive without peace, which is why we are requesting assistance from the proper authorities in maintaining peace and order. Accordingly, we wish to plead with Mr. President to direct URGENT ACTION on our request”, the stakeholders stressed.
