By Auwal Mohammed
Gombe (Nigeria) — Tangale Community Development Association (TCDA), Youth Wing has accused Gombe State government in northeast Nigeria for inaction over the lingering crisis of 26 years in the areas in the state.
Caretaker chairman of TCDA, Youth Wing, Mr. Maikwada Maikenti made the accusation at a press briefing in Billiri town on Sunday, saying the state government has failed to implement various committee reports on the demarcation of traditional boundary between Tangale and Kaltungo chiefdoms.
The Tangale youth said, lack of political will on part of state government to implement various recommendations on boundary issues dating back to 1960, is basis for continued crisis between the Tangale and Shongom speaking people.
This, according to the youth has led to the loss of several lives, as well as the destruction of property worth millions of naira.
They cited the late Shehu Awak Committee recommendations, the late Justice Suleiman Darazo’s Board of Inquiry Report of 1991 and the establishment and composition of the State Boundary Committee as provided by the National Boundary Commission Act, as sufficient to put an end to the lingering crisis, but for which the government failed to implement.
The TCDA Youth Wing therefore called on the state government and their political representatives to immediately demand that the National Boundary Commission in conjunction with the Gombe State Boundary Committee, “to without further delay, commence the physical implementation of the said boundary report in the interest of peace” in the area.
They also demanded that adequate compensation for the internally displaced persons of the recent attacks should be imposed on both Shongom and Kaltungo LGAs “from their purse to avoid further occurrence.”
While appreciating the Tangale paramount traditional ruler, the ‘Mai Tangle’, Abdu Buba Maisheru, as well as the chairman of Billiri local government area for their calls on the youth to remain calm and not to retaliate, the Tangale youth want government to arrest and punish anyone found wanting.
In June and July this year, farmers of Kumana village in Kufai community of Billiri local council area were chased away from their farms, before the community was attacked the following day, leading to the burning down of over 41 houses in Kufai and Kentenkereng.
A police sergeant also lost his life in the crisis.
