Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, on Wednesday, imposed curfew on Gudum Hausawa area of Bauchi metropolis and directed its immediate enforcement.
Governor Mohammed imposed the curfew following communal clashes, leading to the death of three persons, while many others were injured and houses burnt.
ALPHA NEWS NG had reported that two teenagers were killed by hoodlums who invaded the residence of a retired police officer, Ezra Yari, where a wedding ceremony was being held for his daughter, Halima Yari, Friday last week.
The State Police Command had disclosed that seven hoodlums, including a 15-year-old boy, were arrested in connection with last week’s incident in the community, which was described as a den for criminals by residents.
It was gathered that another person was killed on Wednesday as the burial of the two teenagers who lost their lives last weekend was ongoing, while not less than 20 houses were burnt in a fresh attack on the community.
While on an assessment visit to the community, according to a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Mohammed, Mukhtar Gidado, the Governor announced the imposition of curfew on the community with immediate effect.
Mohammed said already security agencies had arrested perpetrators of the communal clashes and assured that his administration would not relent in providing lasting peace and security, not only in the area, but also across the State.
While condemning the burning of houses and people’s properties by hoodlums, the Governor directed security agencies to conduct intensive surveillance with a view to identifying the root cause of the incident.
The Governor said the State government would take full inventory of all the losses incurred for possible compensation.
“I have come here to commiserate with my brothers and sisters over the ugly incident that happened in this area and some of the perpetrators were arrested and we are in the process of prosecuting them.
“We are going to support those whose houses were burnt and the families of those who lost their lives with palliatives to cushion the effect of the incident,” Gidado quoted the Governor to have said.
Governor Mohammed also directed the establishment of a police outfit in the area.
He, however, urged communities residing in the area to live in peace and harmony irrespective of their religious or tribal differences, declaring that no society can progress and develop without peace.
Also speaking during the Governor’s visit, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Sanda, assured that security agencies would work on the government’s directive for total restoration of peace at Gudum Hausawa community.
Sanda warned criminal elements bent on fomenting trouble to relocate out of the State as the police and other security agencies would deal with them decisively when caught.