Gombe governor brokers peace between Lunguda, Waja communities, relaxes curfew

After several attacks that claimed lives and properties in Nyuwar and other villages inhabited by Lunguda tribe in Balanga LGA of Gombe State, peace is gradually returning to the area as the State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has brokered peace between the Lunguda and Waja communities in the area. 

To that effect and to demonstrate that peace has returned, the Governor has approved immediate review of curfew in the affected areas to between 6pm – 6am daily until further notice. 

The governor had in a bid to bring lasting peace to the Lunguda and Waja communities presided over an expanded security council meeting on Monday with stakeholders, calling on both aggrieved parties to embrace peace in the spirit of forgiveness.

The paramount ruler of Waja chiefdom, Bala Waja, Alhaji Muhammad Danjuma Mohammed later briefed the press shortly after the meeting which lasted for over five hours.

The monarch said that the meeting, convened and presided over by Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya had eventually yielded the desired result, as according to him, the warring communities have resolved to sheath their swords by forgiving one another.

He said that “The governor had presided over several similar meetings since the eruption of the crisis in April 2021 aside from his numerous interventions in relieving the affected communities and I am happy to tell you that today the aggrieved parties have agreed to forgive one another in the spirit of oneness.” 

The Bala Waja then appealed to locals on exile from the affected communities and others displaced by the crisis to return to their communities to continue their livelihood especially now that the rainy season has set in for farming activities.

The traditional ruler said that “It is high time for us to believe that we need one another to progress as a chiefdom and the restoration of peace in the affected communities in Waja Chiefdom is the solution to our development as such let us forget the past and restore the long-standing brotherhood we were known for.” 

He then thanked the governor for his untiring efforts in building peace, as well as the commitment of other stakeholders without which he said the mission of bringing the lasting solution among the people of the communities would not have been achieved.

The meeting presided over by the Governor at the Council Chamber was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau; two former deputy governors, Hon. John Lazarus Yoriyo and Mr Thaanda Rubainu, who are indegenes of the area; former chief judge, Justice Hakila Heman, heads of security agencies, district heads from Balanga LGA among other community and religious leaders from the area.  

Meanwhile, as a result of the resolution to embrace peace by the leaders at the expanded security council meeting, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, has therefore been directed by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya to announce a review of the dusk to dawn curfew earlier imposed on the affected communities. 

In the statement, the SSG stated that “Further to my press statement on the crisis in Nyuwar, Jessu and Heme Villages of Balanga Local Government Area between 12th-13th April 2021 which prompted the imposition of a 24-hours curfew on Nyuwar, Jessu, Sikam, Degri and Kulani Districts, His Excellency, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Governor of Gombe State has approved the review of the 24- hour curfew to 6:00 pm – 6: 00 am with immediate effect”. 

The SSG further stated that “Government reiterates the need for peaceful co-existence among communities and its determination to protect lives and property of the citizenry.” 

He added that “All security agencies are hereby advised to ensure strict compliance with the state government’s new directives. However, those on essential services should continue to discharge their duties.”

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