Gombe State government on Monday said a communal clash between Shongom and Filiya districts over farmland had resulted in the death of one person and the burning of over 50 houses.

The state’s Commissioner of Information and Culture, Julius Ishaya stated this at a briefing after a Security Council meeting in Gombe.

He stated that the clash, which took place on Saturday, May 29, left one woman dead and no fewer than 50 houses, food and other essential items burnt.

Mr Ishaya said the state government condemned the attack and called on members of the affected communities to embrace peace, while directing the immediate engagement of all residents, led by the Mai Kaltungo, Saleh Mohammed, to find solutions and restore lasting peace in the affected areas.

“The council reiterated that the banning of militias or hunters’ groups still stands and all security agencies have been alerted in that regard,’’ he said.

He said that the government had also asked leaders of the affected communities to meet with their youths as part of measures to prevent further escalation of the clash.

Also speaking, Adamu Dishi, the state’s Commissioner of Internal Security and Ethical Orientation, said the affected areas were now calm as peace had been restored.

Mr Dishi said security operatives in the state had been directed to fish out those responsible for the clashes, “as crises do not erupt on their own, so that the perpetrators would be dealt with according to the laws of the land”.

Saleh Mohammed, the Mai Kaltungo, appealed for calm, stating that peace was needed for the emirate to make meaningful development and progress.

The Commissioner of Police in Gombe, Ishola Babaita, confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that there was a clash between Shongom and Filiya Districts.

Mr Babaita said that the police on receiving the report on Sunday, May 30, deployed its personnel to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

He added that peace had been restored to the affected areas and his men were still patrolling the areas to ensure the maintenance of law and order.

He confirmed that one death was recorded and no fewer than 50 houses razed, saying that those involved in the crisis would be brought to book as soon as investigations were concluded.

NAN

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state has declared opened 2021 Nigerian Guild of Editors Biennial Convention, themed “The Media in COVID-19 Era : Challenges and Opportunities,”with a charge on editors to be Conflict sensitive.

Describing the event as an opportunity to look into national development as it relates to media practice, he urges that, “It is very important at this time that we should use the media for the promotion of peace and stability and change the viewpoints that could alter public views and sentiment toward a more peaceful resolution of our multi-faceted current crises.”

Adding that, “If and only if we as a nation are interested in peace and harmony, we must reject hate propaganda machinery. In the main, this is a time Editors should be conflict-sensitive about our nation.”

He observed that, crossing of redlines by some media organisations in recent times has impacted on the nation’s unity, harmony and integration.

Urging that, “Our brave, collective pursuit in uniting this nation, underscores the fact that for as long as we have a common purpose, we will find no obstacle big enough to stop us from marching on. The media and particularly our gatekeepers have a role to play in this regard.”

While urging media to ensure looking into social responsibility aspect of their practice for national development, he maintains that, the call for freedom of the Press, observance of ethical standard must also be seen to be respected.

In his remarks the President of NGE Mustapha Isa, appreciated the presence of the governor at the event, acknowledging that, Kano has been transformed into a more modern city-state.

Professor Umar Pate, Vice Chancellor Federal University, Kashere, commends governor Ganduje’s effort in maintaining good working relationship with the media.

He explained in clearer terms that fake news now affects media credibility and development. He therefore called on media practitioners to stick to ethical standard and also follow suit in using technology, as it is obtained presently.

Present at the event were, former governor of Ogun state, Chief Aremu Olusegun Osoba, Senior Special Assistant to the President of Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Professor Umar Pate, former Presidents of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, former and serving Presidents of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, among many other captains of the media industry.

In an effort to counter the increase in the number of COVID-19 infections, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the country will be placed on Adjusted Alert Level 2 with effect from Monday

Addressing the nation on the developments in the country’s response to the pandemic, the President said the Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19 has recommended that the country urgently implement further restrictions.

“It bases this recommendation on the sustained increase in new cases in the last 14 days; increased hospital admissions in almost all provinces and an increase in the proportion of COVID tests that are positive.

“Further restrictions are necessary to ensure that health facilities are not overwhelmed and that lives that could be saved are not lost,” Ramaphosa said on Sunday.

The President’s address follows meetings in recent days of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC), the President’s Coordinating Council (PCC) and Cabinet.

“Delaying the spread of the virus is especially important now to allow as many people as possible to be vaccinated before the third wave reaches its peak,” the President said.

With the tighter restrictions, the hours of curfew will start at 11pm and end at 4am.

“Non-essential establishments like restaurants, bars and fitness centres will need to close by 10pm. This is to allow their employees and patrons to travel home before the start of the curfew,” Ramaphosa said.

All gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 100 people indoors and 250 people outdoors.

“Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50% of the capacity of the venue may be used.

“This includes religious services, political events and social gatherings, as well as restaurants, bars, taverns and similar places,” the President said.

Funerals remain restricted to no more than 100 people, and, as before, night vigils, after-funeral gatherings and ‘after-tears’ gatherings are not allowed.

Several important measures remain in place.

“It remains mandatory for every person to wear a face mask that covers their nose and mouth at all times when in public spaces. It is a criminal offence not to do so.

“The owners and managers of public buildings, centres, shops, restaurants, taxis and buses all have a responsibility to ensure that people on their premises or in their vehicles wear masks, and that the appropriate social distancing measures are in place,” the President said.

Those who test positive for COVID-19 must self-isolate at home for a period of 10 days from when they first develop symptoms.

“If you have been in contact with a person who has COVID-19, you must also self-quarantine for a period of 10 days following your exposure, even if you do not show any symptoms.

“Identifying and isolating all contacts of a positive case is our best mechanism to prevent the virus from spreading further, and so it is very important that we all obey the rules for isolation and quarantine,” the President said.

Citizens urged to continue to observe health protocols

The President reiterated that citizens should observe all the health protocols by wearing a mask, observe social distancing and ensure proper ventilation.

“While the country is headed towards a third wave of infections, we do not yet know how severe this wave will be or for how long it will last.

“According to the scientists that advise government, the severity of this third wave will largely be determined by the amount of contact each of us has with other people,” the President said.

He advised South Africans to cut down their contacts during this time, wherever it is possible.

“That may mean postponing social engagements, avoiding public spaces and not travelling unless absolutely necessary. Gatherings are the greatest sources of transmission, whether its weddings, funerals, social parties, religious services, political meetings or simply gatherings of family and friends,” the President said.

The President urged citizens to avoid indoor spaces, as Coronavirus is spread through the air when a person speaks, coughs or sneezes.

“If you need to meet someone, including a iiiimember of your family, it is safer to do so outside in a well-ventilated space. Those who are at particular risk, including the elderly and those with comorbidities, should exercise caution and should limit their contacts as much as possible.

“If each of us makes this effort now, we will help to flatten the curve of infections. We will reduce the pressure on our hospitals, and, in doing so, we will save many lives,” the President said.