The Gombe State Government has announced the suspension of two traditional rulers in the state for failing to take necessary measures to prevent farmer-herder clash in their communities.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a farmer-herder conflict in Funakaye community led to the death of two persons, a village head’s son and a policeman.
Mr Zubairu Umar, the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of the State made the announcement in Gombe while addressing a news conference after an Expanded Security Council Meeting chaired by Gov Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State.
Umar said that the traditional rulers are a district head and a village head.
“The move by the state government will serve as a deterrent to other traditional rulers in the state on the need to take up their responsibility with regard to maintaining peace in their communities.
“The council also took some security measures to prevent the escalation of the conflict as well as ensure a peaceful harvest across the state,” he said.
The commissioner said that the state had maintained a record of being one of the safest states in the country as a result of the proactive effort of the state government, “this is what we must guide jealousy.
“The recent resurgence of farmer-herder crisis in some parts of the state had been brought to the Security Council and the matter was deliberated which led to the suspension of two traditional rulers.
“The council viewed the failures of the traditional rulers as what led to the situation that was witnessed in Funakaye LGA.
Umar also expressed the council’s dissatisfaction over attack on some security personnel carrying out their lawful duties around the state.
He said that some arrests had been made and the suspects would soon be charged to court for prosecution.
He urged residents of the state to desist from attacking security personnel in their communities, stressing that any assault against security personnel would not be tolerated.
He urged security agencies in the state to carry out their jobs with professionalism.
