By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi
At least 10 houses were reportedly set ablaze while property that included cars worth millions of Naira were destroyed in Bogoro, headquarters of a local government area in Bauchi State in the wake of 21st Memorial Anniversary in honour of Sayawa freedom fighter, late Pa Peter Gonto.
The memorial event which was organized by children of the deceased fighter in collaboration with the Sayawa cultural organization, Zaar Development Association (ZDA), scheduled for today, December 31, 2021, has Professor Suleiman Elias Bogoro as its convener.
The planned annual even has however this year divided the Sayawa community into two warring factions with those opposed to it and the proponents of the event, but which was beclouded with politics of the ruling PDP in the state and its APC opponent.
Despite the brigandage by mob actions which hijacked the event and prevented its conduct, security operatives deplored to Bogoro by the State Police Command to ensure and order prevails, have contained the situation, though the celebration did not hold as envisaged.
A statement by the State Police Command gave the houses burnt in the incident to include that of Mr. Peter Roko, Eng. Isuwa Galla, Mr. Kura Sang KK, Sarkin Yaki Amos, Mr. Habila Samu Sur, Mr. William Wotni, Mr. Mamaki Ishaya, Sarkin Bogoro Nuhu tafida, Mr. Luka Maiciki, and Mr. Gashon Godiya.
The statement noted with dismay on how criminals went on prowl on the occasion, a situation that forced the Commissioner of Police Umaru Sanda to order for discreet investigations into the circumstances surrounding the breakdown of law and order in Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa, while he appealed for calm.
Bauchi Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil said in the statement, “Sequel to recent directives by the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Mamman Sanda, deployment of Police Operatives/tactical teams to provide security to lives and properties before, during and after the memorial anniversary and book launch of late Baba Gonto of blessed memory”.
“On 29/12/2021 at about 0945hrs a large number of hoodlums blocked the Bogoro-Tafawa Balewa Highway thereby leading to civil unrest in protest against the 21st memorial anniversary of late Baba Gonto, a freedom fighter of the Sayawa people, which was organized by his children in collaboration with Zaar Development Association of which Prof. Suleiman E. Bogoro was the convener scheduled to hold on 30th & 31 December, 2021”.
SP Ahmed Wakil said however that the action of the hoodlums resulted in attacks on innocent citizens, burning of houses, and blockage of some major highways by women and children, the event center was also touched and windshield of vehicles damaged.
According to him, the command has set-up an investigation panel to unravel the circumstances surrounding the breakdown of Law and order in the affected area, as it reiterated its commitment in the fight against criminality, while upholding the tenets of the rule of law.
