In an effort to return peace in the state, since the breach of law and order after an NSCDC officer crushed nine members of Boys Brigade (BB) during Easter celebration in Gombe state, the government has summoned a meeting with leadership of various religious groups in the state.
The meeting which was held behind closed doors, Thursday afternoon with the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Charles Yau Iliya chairing, had in attendance, heads of security agencies in the state and particularly, leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) as well as that of Jama’atil Nasril Islam (JNI).
The state capital was placed under a 15 hour curfew and was later relaxed to nine hours after the incident.
Despite the relaxation of the curfew, some adjoining communities on the outskirts of the town experienced some skirmishes and silent killings which prompted Government to revert to 12 hours curfew.
Speaking with the Journalists after the meeting, the State Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sagir Abubakar, said Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo called for meeting out of great concern and to enable Government gather suggestions and further insights on how to overcome the prevailing situation.
He said the meeting came to the realization that the Easter incident which is the genesis of the crises, was devoid of any religious connotation.
“The Easter incident was an isolated case, as such, there was no reason to believe it was religious or sponsored”, he reiterated.
He sued for calm stressing that the 6pm to 6am curfew still stands until the security situation improves in the entire state capital.
Speaking for the JNI, Khadi Usman Baba Liman said the meeting was fruitful and assured that the message of peaceful coexistence will be taken to various Mosques during the Friday’s Jumat sermons.
On his part, the Vice Chairman of CAN in the state, Reverend Chris Godobe said there was no need for the escalation of the crises considering the fact that the people in the state had been living in a multi-religious and multi-ethnic setting for many years.
“We must look back and put the immediate past behind us and return to where we were by leaving in peace with each other”, he said.
