Some residents of Powishi village in the Kalmai District of Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State, on Friday, faulted the police report that only Mallam Yusuf Akwara was murdered in the recent invasion by suspect herders.
The community members, in a telephone interview with our correspondent, said the violence began Wednesday afternoon, before culminating in mass destruction on Thursday, adding that no fewer than five persons were killed, with about 250 houses burnt.
Our correspondent reports that the Yalmatu Deba Local Government Area in Gombe Central recently had a similar invasion by armed herders where a farmer was killed.
Speaking, Sunday Bala said about 200 persons were currently injured, adding, “They burnt the whole village; they (suspected herders) killed almost five people.”
Bala faulted the police report on the number of causalities.
“You know we witnessed it and we have over 200 people who were injured, they burnt buildings in two villages totalling about 250 houses,” he added.
Another resident who simply identified herself as Salome Bako, while narrating the cause of the attack, explained that it was a sequel to a guinea corn farm, saying, “The first time they came was during the daytime, when they ventured into farms asking owners to leave the farm but they (farmers) insisted that they were yet to harvest their produce.”
Danladi Joshua decried the figures disclosed by the police authorities on the number of causalities.
The eyewitness added, “They eventually carried a knife and stabbed him. There is no Mallam killed, one of the persons killed was a retired army officer who settled in the village to farm, grandpa. I don’t know of any Mallam.”
Meanwhile, the Gombe State Police Command condemned the attack and killing, saying that it was only Mallam Yusuf Akwara, that was killed with houses burnt.
A press statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Buhari Abdullahi, stated, “The command received a report that a group of people on motorbikes suspected to be herders armed with dangerous weapons invaded and attacked Powishi Village, setting some houses ablaze and rustling an unknown number of animals.”
Abdullahi stated that the attack occurred in the early hours of this morning, adding that a combined team of police officers and 301 Artillery Regiment led by the Area Commander Billiri was mobilised to contain the situation.
He said, “The assailants fled the village before the arrival of the security teams.
“However, the neighbouring village and security personnel were able to put out the fire.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Hayatu Usman, visited the scene alongside the Commanding Officer of the 301 Artillery Regiment, the Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Chairperson of Billiri LGA to assess the situation and commiserate with the affected families and communities.”
Abdullahi assured all that the police have deployed a team of detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department and men from 34PMF, 59PMF, and conventional police to track and bring the perpetrators to book.
“The CP urges members of the public to be patient and cooperate with the police in investigating this ungodly act,” ASP Abdullahi added.
