Burning of Mosque: Gombe govt imposes 24-hour curfew in troubled area

The Gombe State Government has declared a 24-hour on Billiri Local Government Area of the state as a result of the violence that erupted in Billiri town over the appointment of new traditional ruler.

Addressing newsmen on Friday, Secretary to the State Government, Professor said the state government imposed the 24-hour curfew to ensure peaceful co-existence among residents.

Prof. Njodi said the government is committed towards the protection of lives and properties.

“The government has suspended all forms of gatherings in Billiri LGA and all security agencies are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance with this directive.”

“All residents of Billiri are expected to comply with the directive except those personnel providing essential services,” he said.

We gathered that some Christian women and children from Billiri town and the neighbouring villages had blocked the Gombe-Yola highway for over three days, protesting what they described as “delay tactic” in the appointment of a new Mai Tangale by Governor Inuwa Yahaya.

They believed that the government was more inclined towards announcing a candidate and this led to the deepening crisis as a result of which the mosque in the town was set on fire.

This attitude has been described as a calculated plan being that policemen drafted to the mosque premises were seen in a circulated video to have watched while the youths and women burnt the Muslims’ place of worship.