The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested the traditional ruler of Sayawa Chiefdom, who is acting as Gumzaar of Sayawa Community in Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Air Commodore Ishaku Komo (rtd) and six others over communal crisis.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ahmed Wakil, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday, said the arrest was made following a distress call on April 15, 2023, about a skirmish in Bogoro LGA.
He said others arrested include Matthew Ishaya, 56; Yakubu Bala, 65; Apollos Hassan,72; Nathaniel Joshua, 40; Abenagu Zakka, 30; and James Dajum, 65.
Wakil said, “Preliminary investigation revealed that the communal clash in Sang village of Bogoro LGA emanated from the retired air commodore’s coronation of a hamlet head of Sang, Matthew Ishaya.”
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Wakil explained that irate youths from different factions protested against the coronation of the new Sayawa Hamlet chief, resulting in tension.
He also debunked the rumours that security agencies, who arrested Kumo, were working for some leaders who allegedly increased harassment of Christians in the state after the February 25 presidential election, especially those in communities that voted massively for the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr Peter Gregory Obi.
He said the irate youths destroyed 65 houses, three motorcycles, and other properties worth millions of naira, adding that one Apollos Danlami, 70, was killed, while Naemiya Bature, 65, and six others were grievously injured in the fracas.
