By Citizenship Newspaper
Following a communal crisis involving Bachama and Chobbo communities over farmland dispute, the Adamawa state government has imposed a 24 hours curfew in Lamurde Local Government area in the state.
Spokesman of the government, Humwas-hi Wonosikou gave the announcement in a weekend statement said that Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Lamurde Local Government Area with immediate effect.
Wonosikou added that this follows recent violent attacks and breach of peace in some communities within the area.
“Government views these disturbances as unacceptable and has directed security agencies to enforce the curfew strictly.”
“Anyone or group of people found contravening this directive will be arrested and dealt with according to the law.the curfew is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice.
“Governor Fintiri also directed security agencies to enforce the curfew and maintain law and order in the area. Residents are urged to abide by the curfew and provide useful information to security agencies to ensure peaceful coexistence”.The statement appealed
According to the statement, the Government will not condone acts of violence and will take necessary measures to restore peace and order, appealing to residents of Lamurde Local Government Area to shun rumor-mongering and cooperate with security agencies to restore normalcy to the area.
“The Government is committed to protecting lives and property and ensuring the safety of all citizens.”The statement emphasized.
Reacting to the violent attacks, a sociocultural group under the auspices Bwatiye Development Association,Youth Wing World wide condemned the act in a strongest terms lamenting that what started as a small farmland dispute has snowballed to unimaginable proportion.
In a statement captioned “Attack on Rigangun and Waduku Communities : A Call for Justice and Restoration” signed by its National president and Secretary
Edmond Mosoti and Kwakano Abner Tagushi and made available to the media, the Association noted that, the peaceful Bwatiye communities of Rigangun and Waduku in Lamurde local council were allegedly attacked by armed individuals, identified to be from the Tsobo (Piye) tribe, resulting in the loss of over ten lives, the injury of more than twenty persons, and displacement of hundreds of community members.
The group attested that, for generations, Bwatiye and Tsobo (Piye) communities have lived side-by-side, sharing cultural bonds, mutual respect, and even family ties through intermarriage.
“We recognize that this crisis reflects deeper systemic issues, including longstanding neglect and leadership failures. Our communities have remained resilient despite these challenges, but this moment demands immediate and decisive response from the authorities.
“We therefore call on the Adamawa State Government, the Federal Government, and all relevant security and justice institutions to launch an independent and transparent investigation into the attacks,ensure the protection of lives and property in the affected communities,bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly and fairly.
“Provide relief and resettlement support to the displaced families and facilitate peace dialogues that prioritize long-term harmony, truth, and reconciliation between the affected groups”. The group demanded.
