Gunmen on Wednesday night invaded southern Gombe communities; Pobawure and Antawalam in Billiri Local Government Area, attacked villagers and destroyed their harvested crops.

The assailants burnt a 90-year-old man in his hut, matcheted two youths, while two other villagers sustained injuries, police commissioner Oqua Etim confirmed.

The police chief noted that the attackers did not steal anything from the communities, adding that it was an indication that they were just out for destruction.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya visited the area on Friday to commiserate with victims.

“It is a clear indication that they were out to cause confusion and destruction, we shall address the issue and will send them out of our communities,” the governor said while directing the police to deploy human and material assets to the area.

“I have directed the setting up of a police outpost with an adequate number of personnel alongside sister security agencies to ensure that the communities are secured.

“We have taken necessary steps to safeguard lives and property, knowing fully well that Gombe is among the most peaceful states nationwide.

“We shall not allow criminals to infiltrate our communities,” Mr Yahaya assured.

He called on the locals to remain vigilant while availing security agencies with timely and credible information that will help in securing their communities and the state at large.

The police commissioner said adequate deployment of policemen had been made to secure the communities.

Mr Etim told the governor that normalcy had been restored, adding that the police would ensure intensive surveillance in the area “until we can get a police station fully established here.”

(NAN)