The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has declared a 24-hour curfew in Lamurde Local Government Area following a fresh outbreak of communal violence.According to reports, heavily armed Chobo-speaking tribal militia from neighbouring Gombe State, joined their counterparts in Adamawa state and launched coordinated assaults on Bachama communities in Lamurde Local Government Area, leaving dozens feared dead.
The attackers advanced from the creeks bordering Gombe and overran several settlements from the western axis, sacking Tingno, Waduku and two other villages.“They’ve burnt Waduku and Tingno to ashes,” one source said. “Our youths mobilised quickly to stop them from pushing into Rigange.”
Another resident confirmed that although the assailants attempted to move towards Lamurde, the LGA headquarters, they were repelled.The fresh violence erupted barely days after Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri brokered a fragile peace deal between the warring Chobo and Bachama groups, according to Dr. Jamila Suleiman, Executive Vice Chairperson of the Adamawa State Peace Commission.
Meanwhile, the state government under Fintiri has imposed 24-hour curfew in the affected local government.In a statement signed by the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Hussaini Hammangabdo, on Monday, the governor instructed security agencies to swiftly deploy to affected areas to restore peace and maintain order.
According to the statement, Fintiri directed security agencies to move to the areas threatened by the renewed communal clash to promptly restore peace and order.The statement reads, “The Adamawa State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Lamurde Local Government Area with immediate effect following a renewed communal clash that broke out on Sunday evening.
“Signed by Hussaini Hammangabdo, Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, security agencies have been directed to move into the area and restore peace and order without delay.”The government urged residents of Lamurde to remain calm and cooperate fully with security operatives as efforts are underway to prevent further escalation.
What do you think is the cause of the communal clash, and how does it affect the rising insecurity across the country? Share your views in the comment section.