In his bid to further consolidate on the operations of government, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has approved a minor cabinet reshufflement as follows:
1 Mohammed Danladi Adamu from Lands and Survey to Rural, Community Development and Cooperatives
2 Dr. Habu Dahiru from Ministry of Education to Ministry of Health 3 Usman Jafun Biri from Ministry of Rural, Community Development and Cooperatives to Ministry of Lands and Survey
4 Julius Ishaya from Ministry of Youth Development to Ministry of Information and Culture
5 Dauda Batari Zambuk from Ministry of Internal Security and Ethical Orientation to Ministry of Education
6 Adamu Dishi Kupto from Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to Ministry of Internal Security and Ethical Orientation
In the same vein, His Excellency has relieved the following commissioners of their appointments with immediate effect:
Alhassan Ibrahim Kwami – Information & Culture
Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Gana- Health
Mela Audu Nunghe (SAN)- Special Duties
They are expected to handover the affairs of their ministries to their respective Permanent Secretaries.
His Excellency wishes to thank them for their services to Gombe State and wishes them well in their future endeavors.
Meanwhile, His Excellency has nominated the following to serve as commissioners, pending their confirmation by the Gombe State House of Assembly:
Mr. Christopher Abdu Buba Maisheru
Abdullahi Idris Kwami
Abubakar Aminu Musa
His Excellency congratulates the new nominees and wish them success in their new responsibilities.
Signed:
Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi Secretary to the State Government
The current administration of Governor Inuwa Yahaya came to power with full determination to change the narratives albeit historic inherited liabilities of over N119.02 billion out of which pension and gratuities alone, accounted for N14.83 billion or 12.5 percent of the total liabilities. These gratuities and pension arrears ought to have been fully settled by the previous administration that received over N17.5 billion in budget support and bail-out.
Despite this development, the administration of Governor Inuwa Yahaya in response to years of clamor under the previous administration swiftly settled about N1.1 billion pension arrears out of the total and engaged in far-reaching reforms to repositioned and realigned local government finances as most of the problem areas are at the doorstep of local government areas.
The administration of Governor Inuwa Yahaya abolished Joint State and LGA’s account three months into his stewardship, redeployed Secretaries and Treasurers to their local government of origin to avert the culture of “fiscal misappropriation and I don’t care attitude” and to forestall discipline in public financial management with the expectations that the redeployed staff would have a high stake in the affairs of their Local Government.
The administration has also stopped the practice of borrowing to pay salary in which a standing facility of N1.3 billion is open to the Joint State and LG for payment of salaries, particularly to State, LGA, and LEA staff with its attendant high-interest rate and debt accumulation by the local government. The LG reform led to the decentralization of statutory allocation and IGR to each LGA instead of the previous practice of pooling LGA’s resources in one basket and using it to develop other LGAs, thus encouraging fiscal irresponsibility by economic managers. This executive lawlessness in the name of Joint State and Local Government account has left about five (5) LGAs technically insolvent (in debt) – Akko (N1.04 billion), Gombe (N2.12 billion), Balanga (N370 million), Kaltungo (N950 million), Yamaltu – Deba (N200 million) as of May 2019.
With the above reforms in place, the State Government had to loan the sum of N200.0 million to Gombe local government to be able to pay salaries alone not to talk of pension and gratuities for our seniors who toils for about 35 years in service for the development of Gombe State and on which the Federal Government has given over N17.5 billion in the name of budget support to upset.
Recently, the issue of “minimum wage” was at the front burner and many analysts are making erroneous assumptions and analysis which informed this brief. As the Chairman of Fiscal Responsibility Commission and an advocate of fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability, I felt obliged to pen down the true situations of things.
Our recent analysis of LGA’s ability to pay “minimum wage” revealed that only four (4) LGAs can be able to pay minimum wage for the month only, courtesy of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa reforms which enable some LGAs to make savings. The analysis was based on three scenarios (Worse allocation from FAAC to LGAs, Average from FAAC to LGAs, and Current allocation from FAAC to LGAs). Under the worse allocation scenario and by increasing wages by just 10% (which is equivalent to N1,000), only Funakaye and Nafada LGAs can be able to pay minimum wage for one month and nothing more. In the second scenario, in which we averaged all allocations (best and worse), only Funakaye and Nafada LGAs can be able to pay minimum wage for one month. Lastly, on the current scenario (current statutory allocation to LGAs), only Billiri, Dukku, Funakaye, Kwami, and Nafada can be able to pay minimum wage for one month. Based on the three scenarios, there is no basis for borrowing to pay salaries while our seniors are wallowing without pension and gratuities.
It is therefore imperative to mention here that the only way out of the quagmire is for the LGA to embark on payroll cleansing and aggressive IGR drive. On the payroll cleansing, it can be done via continuous staff audit through a biometric attendance register. Unlike the previous one-off verification, the biometric attendance would expose those who are on the payroll but working or living elsewhere.
It is totally unbelievable for one to defend the number of people working in the LGAs, more especially if one is a regular visitor to the LGA Secretariats and our schools. For the avoidance of doubt, the number of individuals on the payroll in the eleven (11) local governments are – Akko (5,174 staff), Balanga (3,339 staff), Billiri (2,714 staff), Dukku (3,201 staff), Funakaye (2,818 staff), Gombe (4,559 staff), Kaltungo (2,945 staff), Kwami (3,111 staff), Nafada (2,454 staff), Shongom (2,721 staff), Y/Deba (3,656 staff). The staff position of the eleven LGAs in Gombe State including those working in the LEAs stood at 36,692.
As an analyst or advocate of good governance, what will do? Will you allow ghost workers or notional staff to be collecting all LGAs resources when our parents, neighbors, brothers, friends, relations, etc are waiting for their pension and gratuities? Which type of injustice is it to maintain someone who is not working on the payroll? What can we tell our God? How will you pay the outstanding pension and gratuities without forensically cleaning the payroll, trim down unjustifiable expenditure, and improving IGR collection?
The current administration of Governor Inuwa Yahaya came to power with full determination to change the narratives albeit historic inherited liabilities of over N119.02 billion out of which pension and gratuities alone, accounted for N14.83 billion or 12.5 percent of the total liabilities. These gratuities and pension arrears ought to have been fully settled by the previous administration that received over N17.5 billion in budget support and bail-out.
Despite this development, the administration of Governor Inuwa Yahaya in response to years of clamor under the previous administration swiftly settled about N1.1 billion pension arrears out of the total and engaged in far-reaching reforms to repositioned and realigned local government finances as most of the problem areas are at the doorstep of local government areas.
The administration of Governor Inuwa Yahaya abolished Joint State and LGA’s account three months into his stewardship, redeployed Secretaries and Treasurers to their local government of origin to avert the culture of “fiscal misappropriation and I don’t care attitude” and to forestall discipline in public financial management with the expectations that the redeployed staff would have a high stake in the affairs of their Local Government.
The administration has also stopped the practice of borrowing to pay salary in which a standing facility of N1.3 billion is open to the Joint State and LG for payment of salaries, particularly to State, LGA, and LEA staff with its attendant high-interest rate and debt accumulation by the local government. The LG reform led to the decentralization of statutory allocation and IGR to each LGA instead of the previous practice of pooling LGA’s resources in one basket and using it to develop other LGAs, thus encouraging fiscal irresponsibility by economic managers. This executive lawlessness in the name of Joint State and Local Government account has left about five (5) LGAs technically insolvent (in debt) – Akko (N1.04 billion), Gombe (N2.12 billion), Balanga (N370 million), Kaltungo (N950 million), Yamaltu – Deba (N200 million) as of May 2019.
With the above reforms in place, the State Government had to loan the sum of N200.0 million to Gombe local government to be able to pay salaries alone not to talk of pension and gratuities for our seniors who toils for about 35 years in service for the development of Gombe State and on which the Federal Government has given over N17.5 billion in the name of budget support to upset.
Recently, the issue of “minimum wage” was at the front burner and many analysts are making erroneous assumptions and analysis which informed this brief. As the Chairman of Fiscal Responsibility Commission and an advocate of fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability, I felt obliged to pen down the true situations of things.
Our recent analysis of LGA’s ability to pay “minimum wage” revealed that only four (4) LGAs can be able to pay minimum wage for the month only, courtesy of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa reforms which enable some LGAs to make savings. The analysis was based on three scenarios (Worse allocation from FAAC to LGAs, Average from FAAC to LGAs, and Current allocation from FAAC to LGAs). Under the worse allocation scenario and by increasing wages by just 10% (which is equivalent to N1,000), only Funakaye and Nafada LGAs can be able to pay minimum wage for one month and nothing more. In the second scenario, in which we averaged all allocations (best and worse), only Funakaye and Nafada LGAs can be able to pay minimum wage for one month. Lastly, on the current scenario (current statutory allocation to LGAs), only Billiri, Dukku, Funakaye, Kwami, and Nafada can be able to pay minimum wage for one month. Based on the three scenarios, there is no basis for borrowing to pay salaries while our seniors are wallowing without pension and gratuities.
It is therefore imperative to mention here that the only way out of the quagmire is for the LGA to embark on payroll cleansing and aggressive IGR drive. On the payroll cleansing, it can be done via continuous staff audit through a biometric attendance register. Unlike the previous one-off verification, the biometric attendance would expose those who are on the payroll but working or living elsewhere.
It is totally unbelievable for one to defend the number of people working in the LGAs, more especially if one is a regular visitor to the LGA Secretariats and our schools. For the avoidance of doubt, the number of individuals on the payroll in the eleven (11) local governments are – Akko (5,174 staff), Balanga (3,339 staff), Billiri (2,714 staff), Dukku (3,201 staff), Funakaye (2,818 staff), Gombe (4,559 staff), Kaltungo (2,945 staff), Kwami (3,111 staff), Nafada (2,454 staff), Shongom (2,721 staff), Y/Deba (3,656 staff). The staff position of the eleven LGAs in Gombe State including those working in the LEAs stood at 36,692.
As an analyst or advocate of good governance, what will do? Will you allow ghost workers or notional staff to be collecting all LGAs resources when our parents, neighbors, brothers, friends, relations, etc are waiting for their pension and gratuities? Which type of injustice is it to maintain someone who is not working on the payroll? What can we tell our God? How will you pay the outstanding pension and gratuities without forensically cleaning the payroll, trim down unjustifiable expenditure, and improving IGR collection?
Governor Inuwa Yahaya Mourns, Justice Abdul Kafarati, Retired Chief Judge of Federal High Court
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has expressed sadness over the demise of renowned jurist and retired Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Adamu Abdul Kafarati who died yesterday in Abuja at the age of 67 years.
Governor Yahaya, in a message of condolence, described the late Justice Kafarati as a distinguished senior member of the bench, highly respected statesman and illustrious son who contributed tremendously to the growth of the justice system in Nigeria.
He also noted the deceased’s contributions to the development of his community and the state, reminiscing his remarkable and meritorious service years in the state judiciary.
“We have indeed lost a man of honour, illustrious son of Gombe and courageous jurist who served the country meritoriously and contributed immensely to the development of the law and independence of the judiciary.
He noted that the late former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court spent greater part of his life in the service of God, people, his community and the nation and left behind track records of good character, diginity and integrity.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya, conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, his associates as well as his community in Kwami local government, praying Almighty Allah to reward his good deeds with Aljannat Firdaus.
It has come to the attention of the Gombe State Government that a certain body known as the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum has made futile efforts through a disparaging press release to blackmail and blame the Gombe State Government, particularly the Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, over the recent meyhem that took place in Billiri town orchestrated by some unscrupulous elements as the people await a new Mai Tangle.
Although the Gombe State Government does not wish to join issues with any individual or group of individuals on the matter, it is necessary to put the records straight – without going into frivolous and laughable issues raised by the forum – else the unsuspecting public may be hoodwinked by the falsehood and calculated attempt by the above-mentioned forum to cause more harm than good in the Tangale land and Gombe state in general.
After the death of the late Mai Tangle, Dr Abdu Buba Maisharu II, on Sunday, January 10, 2021, the Gombe State Government allowed the traditional Kingmakers to select and forward the names of nominated candidates to replace the late monarch. That process has been concluded, and the Gombe State Government is in receipt of the list containing the names of three nominated persons for the stool.
At first, 23 eligible persons from the Tangale land indicated interest, and the number was later pruned to 18. In their wisdom, the Kingmakers arrived at the three names required by law, which were forwarded to the State Government for necessary action. Suffice it to say that the three names submitted by the Kingmakers are all qualified for the stool.
It is rather unfortunate that what should be an otherwise peaceful and seamless process has generated issues that should not have arisen in the first place as the Kingmakers did their work diligently and patriotically.
It is regrettable that a body such as the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum would resort to blackmailing the Gombe State Governor on a matter that he has no hand in. Where the governor comes in is in the approval and announcement of the next Mai Tangle from the list of the three persons nominated by the Kingmakers according to the law.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Governor of Gombe State has assented to the Gombe State Chieftaincy Law, 2020. The relevant provision of the Law as to the appointment of an Emir or Chief is that the Council of Traditional Kingmakers of an Emirate or a Chiefdom shall nominate to the Governor three candidates for the vacant stool from among eligible members of the Royal Family. The Governor, after due deliberation, will then choose one of the candidates for appointment as an Emir or Chief. Appointment of an Emir or Chief is therefore the prerogative of the Governor. section 9 sub section (a-b) under their functions, the traditional Kingmakers shall: (a)Upon the death, resignation, removal or deposition of an Emir or Chief, to screen and decide on persons suitably qualified to be appointed Emir or Chief in accordance with custom and tradition of the emirate or chiefdom; (b) to recommend to the Governor the names of THREE suitably qualified persons for appointment as the Emir or the Chief”.
Based on the above law, the Gombe State Government wishes to make it abundantly clear that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya cannot be blackmailed or arm-twisted into doing what is outside the law. Let it be known that consultations are ongoing among the relevant stakeholders on who becomes the next Mai Tangle from the three nominees. The Governor will NOT go outside the three nominated names submitted to him by the Tangale Kingmakers.
To the best of the knowledge of the Gombe State Government, the three names submitted by the Kingmakers are the choice of the Tangale people, and any one among them can ascend the throne. Thus, against the baseless allegation by the forum, there is no room for the imposition of “an unpopular candidate as the new Mai Tangle” as the Governor will not go outside the names submitted to him by the Tangale traditional Kingmakers. The Gombe State Government understands that all the three contenders are members of the same Tangale Royal Family. For emphasis, all the three nominees are equal before the law, irrespective of their number of votes.
The Gombe State Government wishes to further say that the state has enjoyed relative peace since the coming of the Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s administration, and no matter the attempts by the enemies of the state and the agents of destabilization, such as the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum and their cohorts, peace shall continue to reign in Gombe state.
The forum, whose major preoccupation on the Mai Tangle matter seems to be hiding under pseudo concern to instigate another violence in the Tangale land, is urged to cut short its voyage of ignominy and desist from its campaign of calumny against the Gombe State Government and the state Governor.
It is on record that the Gombe State Government imposed a 24-hour curfew on Billiri LGA following the violence that erupted in the area, all in an attempt to arrest the situation before it degenerated into a serious unrest. If the forum is sincere to itself, it would have told the world that no security personnel was sighted or accused of attacking or killing anyone throughout the short-lived violence. Governor Yahaya, as a peace loving man, cannot and will NEVER have any business to do with thugs as alleged by the forum.
The Gombe State Government would not delve into the issue of religion or ethnicity as alleged by the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum as it is public knowledge that the Tangale Chiefdom is a mixture of the two major religions, and available records indicate that persons of different faith had in the past few decades occupied the exalted stool of Mai Tangle. The records are there for all to access.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has sworn to protect the lives and property of all the people of Gombe State, and he would NEVER do anything to undermine that oath.
The Gombe State Government wishes to call on the citizens of the state, especially the people of Tangale Chiefdom, to continue to be calm and peaceful at this moment. The state government assures all citizens of the protection of their lives and property without fear or favour.
The public are urged to disregard the personal opinion of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum on the Mai Tangle issue of which they are ignorant.
Signed: Ismaila Uba Misilli Director-General ( Press Affairs) Government House Gombe
Gombe State Government has reviewed the curfew imposed on Billiri Local Government Area of the State
The curfew is relaxed only from 6am to 2pm as from tomorrow, 25th February, 2021.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya announced the review in Billiri after a meeting with the representatives of Christian Association of Nigeria and Muslim Community in Billiri Local Government Government.
The meeting had in attendance, the stae Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, SSG, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, AIG zone 12, AIG, Etim E. Okon, Commissioner of Police, Director SSS, Chief of Staff, Commissioner of Internal Security and Ethical Orientation, Chairperson of Billiri LGA among others.
Details shortly…
Ismaila Uba Misilli Director- General ( Press Affairs) Government House, Gombe
In continuation of his consultations with stakeholders towards peace building in the wake of the Billiri mayhem, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya earlier today chaired a joint meeting with members of the council of emirs and chiefs, religious leaders and heads of security agencies in the State.
Addressing the press after the meeting, Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III who is also the chairman, council of emirs and chiefs, commiserated with the victims of the unrest and called on the people of the State to continue to live in peace with one another without which he said no meaningful development can be achieved.
“Development can only be achieved if there is peace and God has blessed us in Gombe with an atmosphere of peace and tranquility and it is because of the peace we enjoy in Gombe that the State is ranked number one in terms of development in the North East sub-region”.
He described what happened in Billiri town as most unfortunate and called on the people to de-escalate the tensed situation.
The Emir of Gombe said it is a known fact that the people of Gombe are peace loving, saying in his capacity as chairman Gombe State Council of Emirs and Chiefs, whatever happens to the people of every emirate or chiefdom affects Gombe emirate as well.
He called on the people of the State particularly those in Billiri Local Government Area to remain calm and support the government.
This support, the Emir said, is the fulcrum for the provision of infrastructures like hospitals, schools, road networks among others.
Dr. Abubakar Shehu Abubakar lll used the press briefing to remind the people of the State that the law of the land empowers the Governor to appoint or depose any traditional ruler in the State, expressing confidence in the ability of the Governor to do justice without fear or favor. He also encouraged the Governor to continue with his efforts at bringing lasting peace to Billiri and the entire State.
Also speaking, regional head of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, North East zone, Rev. Abare Kallah sympathized with victims of the Billiri unrest and called for restraint, assuring that as religious leaders they will continue to preach peace and unity amongst their followers. He called for review of the curfew imposed on the Local Government.
Murshid Usman Baba Liman who spoke on behalf of Jamatu Nasril Islam, JNI also called for maximum restraint and admonished Muslim ummah against reprisal attacks.
He said Muslims should see what happened in Billiri as a predestined matter and sympathised with the victims of the crisis. He said leaders are known for steadfastness, and therefore advised the Governor to do the right thing according to the law without fear or favor.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya equally had a meeting with leaders of non- indigenous communities residing in Gombe state where he assured them of maximum safety and security as they go about their legitimate businesses.
He told them that he will do whatever he could, to ensure everyone in Gombe State lives peacefully and happily.
According to him, he has no right as a Governor to infringe on anybody’s right since he swore to protect all people in the State without fear or favour.
He described the violent protest in Billiri as despicable and something that was avoidable if only the people remained calm and allow him to exercise his constitutional responsibilities as the Governor of the State.
He said, all his actions before and during the mayhem were within the ambit of the law up to the time a 24-hour curfew was imposed on Billiri when the protest turned violent.
“I will not take lightly, any act of banditry. Your peace is of great concern to me and we did do everything possible to ensure there is no reprisal attack”, he said while commending the Police and other security agencies for their efforts in quelling the violence.
The representatives of Yoruba and Igbo communities as well as the leader of council of community elders in the State thanked the Governor for demonstrating leadership and character in the face of adversity, pledging their loyalty and support to his administration.
The Gombe State Governor had earlier met behind closed doors with traditional rulers led by the Emir of Gombe at the executive council chamber.
Ismaila Uba Misilli Director- General ( Press Affairs) Government House, Gombe
The State Emergency Management Agency SEMA has distributed relief materials worth over two million to displaced persons in the recent unrest that engulf Billiri town.
In a report presented to Secretary to the Gombe State Government Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi the Rescue and Rehabilitation officer of the Agency Mohammed Garba explains that food non food items as well as some essential drugs amounting to N2.100,000 was precured and distributed to victims taking refuge in Kaltungo, Gujuba, Dogon- Ruwa,Awak and Patuwana areas.
The Rescue and Rehabilitation Officer of State Emmergency Management Agency Mohammed Garba emphatized with victims of the unrest calling on them to make good use of the materials provided.
He said the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa is concern with their current predicament hence the swift response to cushion their sufferings.
The relief materials which were handed over to Kaltungo Local Government Chairman, Adamu Aliyu was distributed in the (6) locations that are hosting the IDPs.
The victims mostly women and children appreciated Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for coming to their aid by providing succour to them.
It will be recalled that last Friday’s unrest in Billiri town led to the displacement of some individuals to neighbouring Communities which prompted the State Government to issue directive to State Emmergency Management Agency (SEMA) Official to immediately work out morderlities for emergency relief.
Joshua Danmalam Information Officer, SSG’S office 23/2/2020
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has presided over an expanded security council meeting as part of ongoing efforts to address the crisis rocking Billiri Local Government Area over traditional leadership tussle.
Addressing news men on the outcome of the meeting, the State’s Commissioner of Internal Security and Ethical Orientation, Mr. Dauda Batari Zambuk said the council in a series of resolutions, expressed sadness over the senseless killings and destruction of property in Billiri which has religious and political undertones.
He said the council also expressed dismay over the spread of fake news, especially on the social media by some unscrupulous individuals who try to create a scenario that never exists, saying the Council has directed security agencies to fish out those spreading fake news for the purpose of prosecuting them.
The Commissioner revealed that 16 persons have so far been arrested out of which 15 of them will be arraigned before a court of law in connection with the mayhem while the 16th suspect who is a security personnel is under further investigation.
He said security personnel are already on the trail of suspected masterminds of the mayhem, adding that as assessment team will be set up to determine persons affected, property destroyed and lives lost with a view to offering support to the victims.
The State Commissioner of Internal Security and Ethical Orientation said so far, four corpses have been recovered by the police as a result of the mayhem.
He said in view of the severity of the attacks the State Government has taken proactive measures in engaging with religious groups and other relevant stakeholders to avert reprisal attacks, saying Council directed chairmen of Local Government Areas in the State to put churches under surveillance to forestall any possible attacks.
The Commissioner said the meeting also resolved to set up a commission of inquiry to get to the remote and immediate causes of the incident to avert future occurrence.
He added that the council condoled with the families of the deceased and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured and those who lost their property that God will replenish them.
The expanded meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau, Secretary to the State Government, Commissioners of Justice, internal Security and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, heads of security agencies in the State and local government councils chairmen.
Ismaila Uba Misilli Director-General ( Press Affairs) Government House Gombe
…Condemns Wanton Destruction, Vows to Bring Perpetrators to Book
…Says Government Will Intervene to Support Victims
Earlier today, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya visited Billiri town to assess the level of damages recorded as a result of violent protests by some unscrupulous elements in the area.
The Governor, who had to cut short his official engagements in Abuja, had upon his arrival, proceeded straight to Billiri to see things for himself and sympathise with the victims of the mayhem.
Speaking to journalists at the popular Kantoma market which was incinerated by the rampaging protesters, the Governor condemned the dastardly act unleashed by those he described as criminals and unpatriotic citizens.
He assured that government will intervene to ensure those that lost their property are supported, promising that perpetrators of the wanton destruction and their sponsors will be fished out to face the wrath of the law.
He said the incident represents a serious threat to peace and stability of Gombe State.
“Government is still on the selection process of appointing a new Mai but some forces took advantage of the development to cause mayhem just to achieve their personal goal which as you all witnessed today resulted to loss of lives and property. We condemn the criminal behaviour and actions committed by those unscrupulous elements and we sympathise with the families of those who lost their lives and property in this unfortunate incident”.
He said the 24 hour curfew imposed on the local government area will remain in effect until normalcy is restored.
The Governor was accompanied on the visit by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, Speaker of Gombe State House of Assembly, Hon. Abubakar Luggerewo, Majority leader and some members of the House, SSG Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abubakar Inuwa Kari, Commissioner of Internal Security, Commissioner of Police, Director SSS among others.
Ismaila Uba Misilli Director-General ( Press Affairs) Government House, Gombe
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