Numan:
Adamawa Gov Issues Shoot-on-Sight Order
� Imposes curfew
From Abel Orih in Yola
Adamawa State governor,
Bonnie Haruna, yesterday ordered security operatives to shoot on sight anybody
found fomenting trouble in Numan. The governor also imposed a dusk to dawn
curfew in the area.
Haruna's tough stance was a reaction to the Tuesday outbreak of inter-ethnic
clash between some Bachama and Hausa youths in the area. The clash had led to
the death of many residents while houses and other properties valued at
millions of naira were destroyed.
Many wounded people were late Tuesday taken to the Federal Medical Centre
(FMC), Yola for treatment, a development which created tension in the capital
city.
Haruna, who was visibly angered by the sight of the victims of the crisis at
the Numan General Hospital and the FCM Yola, said he could not understand why
any reasonable person would go to such extent to unleash violence on his
society.
He then ordered that, "anybody that is seen attacking, torching a house or
any property of others should be shot on sight immediately."
The governor said the curfew will remain in place until the situation is fully
under control. He said government will not fold its arms and watch people take
laws into their hands.
According to him, his administration has put all machinery in motion to receive
more security assistance from all the neighbouring North-eastern states with a
view to ensuring unconditional peace in Numan and its environs.
While on an on the spot-assessment of the crisis ridden area, the governor paid
a courtesy call on the traditional ruler of the Bachama chiefdom, Hamma Bachama
Frediti Bongo, who gave him an account of what led to the crisis.
The Hamma Bachama told the governor that the clashes resulted from disagreement
between some Bachama and Hausa youths over an issue, which he said was already
before the chairman of the local government for proper settlement.
He said when he got the news of the disagreement, he did all he could by
alerting the local government council to quickly intervene. He said when the
call was not heeded, he delegated the Secretary of his Emirate Council to go
and ask the youths to avoid any rift and go their different ways. He added that
his efforts could, however, not stop the youths from eventually confronting
themselves in the bloody clash which later enveloped the entire area.
He, however, denied the insinuation that the crisis was as a result of an
arrangement by the Bachama youths to mark the one year anniversary of the
pastor who was slain last year by an Hausa man. He said the issue of the
murdered pastor had been forgotten long ago and could not have given rise to
another bloody clash between the two communities in the area.
In his reply, the governor reiterated his administration's commitment to
ensuring a lasting peace in the state. "Honestly, I will go to any extent
to secure peace at the cost of anything. Even if it means that I am the cause
of breach of peace in this state, I can put my job on the line and make room
for others," he said.
"But if on the other hand there are some people that have decided to be
the problem then they should also be prepared to face the consequences of their
actions or inaction as the case may be.
"If a governor of a state can be suspended for the sake of breach of peace
then it also suggests that before you pull anybody down, you have to bear it at
the back of your mind that you too can be pulled down 10 times.
"I am going to pursue it at the risk of anything, and unless we take this
kind of action, we are not likely to meet our objectives," he said.
THISDAY investigation in Numan shows so many torched houses belonging to both
camps were damaged beyond recovery. Also, cars and other valuable properties of
people were vandalised. The worst affected areas of the town are the
residential areas of the Hausa group in Numan.
The town has become deserted. During THISDAY's visit to the area, there was
mass exodus of people who were initially trapped in the fiery exchange. Some
Hausa speaking people alleged that the Bachamas will still attack them.
Meanwhile, Haruna has approved the constitution of an administrative committee
to handle the procurement and distribution of relief materials to the victims
of the crisis to provide succour for them.
The membership of the committee include the Secretary to the State Government
(SSG), Alhaji Ibrahim Bapetel who will serve as chairman; Commissio-ner for
Health, Dr. Saidu N. Morupwa; Commissioner for M.I.B.A.D, Hon. Jonathan Sanda;
Commissioner for Special Duties, Adiel Kurda; and Special Adviser (Security),
Orison Grema.
Other members include Phanuel Mosu, Special Adviser (Revenue); P.P. Power,
Secretary Local Government Service Commission; Dr. Danburam of the Federal
Medical Centre Yola; P.M.O. Numan; representative of the Directorate of the
State Security Services (SSS); repre-sentatives of the Police, Army, and J.D.
Atiku who is to serve as Secretary of the committee. The committee is expected
to commence work immediately.
