The Bauchi state House of Assembly Wednesday urged the state government to take urgent steps to stop the lingering boundary dispute between the people of Gurmum in the state and Maruta in Jigawa.
Presenting a motion on the issue during plenary, Mr Sale Jibir (APC) representing Disina constituency explained that the crisis started since 2005.
“The lingering crisis started in Maruta market, where two people from Gurmum town of Shira LGA were killed and many sustained injuries.
“The crisis became ceaseless as every activity is being carried out with fear because of insecurity in the area, hence the need for prompt action,” he said.
The lawmaker said the hostilities had led to loss of lives, while residents now lived in fear due to intimidation and frequent harassment.
Jibir called on Bauchi state government to liaise with Jigawa government and resolve the crisis between the two communities.
He urged the state government to renovate Gurum market to promote economic activities of the area, just as he pleaded for the construction of seven kilometer road that would link Gurum town and the market to avoid further clashes
The lawmaker also urged the state government to deploy security personnel to protect communities exposed to frequent attacks on its borders with Jigawa.
The motion was unanimously adopted by the lawmakers at its sitting, presided over by the speaker, Abubakar Sulaiman.
Sulaiman said efforts must be made to amicably settle the problem between the two communities, who had lived as neighbours for decades. (NAN)
