Gombe communal clash: Southern politicians call for ceasefire

Elected representatives and political office appointees from Gombe South have called for an immediate ceasefire in the lingering communal clash involving two prominent chiefdoms, Kaltungo and Tangale.

The crises which started Friday 23rd June 2017, according to the Gombe State Police Commissioner, Austin Iwar during a press briefing on Thursday 29th June 2017, claimed the life of one police officer and the destruction of many valuable properties.

However, unconfirmed report has it that many lives may have been lost following continued clashes that lasted up to Thursday last week, the day the Police Commissioner called for a press briefing.

Rising from a meeting Saturday afternoon, the State Deputy Governor, Honourable Charles Iliya along with other elected and appointed political office holders from Gombe South also Known as Tangale/Waja, condemned the clash and described it as barbaric and uncivilized.

The politicians, which include the Senator representing the zone, one out of the two House of Reps members from the zone, as well as State Assembly members, Commissioners and Local Government Chairmen from the zone, appealed to all those engaged in the crises for an immediate ceasefire and the laying down of their weapons.

They appealed to the affected people in the two Chiefdoms to embrace the path of peace and dialogue as the only means of resolving disputes and to await the outcome of the steps the State Government is taking to resolve the matter.

They appealed to the State Government and the Federal Government through SEMA and NEMA to hasten provision of relief materials to the victims of the communal clash.