By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – Gombe State Governor, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has accused the former Governor of the state and Senator representing Gombe Central, Sen. Muhammad Danjuma Goje, of mobilising thugs to breach the peace in the state.
Media reports had indicated that Sen. Goje’s vehicles were attacked as he entered the state on a visit on Friday, November 5, 2021, by hoodlums.
But Governor Yahaya, in a statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Culture, Julius Ishaya Lepes, on Friday, said the thugs were sponsored by the ex-governor under the pretext that they were “escorting him” from the airport.
The statement also recalled that the same scenario played out during the last Eid el-Kabir Sallah celebration, leading to the loss of 2 lives.
He vowed that the State Government will ensure that all players in the unfortunate incident, no matter how highly placed, are brought to book.
The statement read: “Government has condemned in strongest term, the breach of peace in the state capital, caused by the visit of a former Governor of the state and Senator representing Gombe Central, Sen. Muhammad Danjuma Goje.
“The former Governor, in his characteristic manner, decided to mobilise thugs from various LGAs armed to their teeth under the pretext of accompanying him from the airport into the State capital for reasons best known to him.
“Recall that during the last Eid el-Kabir Sallah celebration, the same person sponsored some thugs that threw caution into the wind and went on rampage, leading to loss of 2 lives. Also just last week at Deba in Yamaltu Deba LGA, the same scenario played out at the instance of the Senator.
“It is sad that Goje has not left his old ways and is bent on bringing back his brainchild (Kalare) to unleash mayhem and bug the peaceful atmosphere of Gombe State.
“Gombe State has been witnessing relative peace and harmony due largely to the determination and avowed commitment of Governor Inuwa Yahaya in that direction and therefore the government would not stand by and watch desperate politicians unleash terror and violence on innocent citizens to the extent of getting people killed.
“While sympathising with families of the five people killed and those who sustained various degrees of injuries, Government commends the security agencies for their timely intervention in bringing the ugly situation under control.
“His Excellency, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, as the Chief Security officer of the State, will not renage on his responsibilities and therefore will do everything necessary to protect the lives and property of the citizenry.
“Government will make sure that perpetrators of the unfortunate act, no matter how highly placed are brought to book.”