Ignorance, poverty and rumour mongering were identified as the causes of the April 14 communal clash between two border communities of Lugunda in Adamawa and Waja in Gombe. 

This assertion was made in Yola on Wednesday when an 18-man committee set up by Governors Ahmadu Fintiri and Inuwa Yahaya of Adamawa and Gombe, presented its interim report to the former.

Adamawa’s deputy governor, Crowther Seth, who presented the report to Mr Fintiri, said more than 13,000 persons were affected in the clash which erupted largely over farmland demarcation.

The committee advised the two state governments to establish skills acquisition centres for youths in the affected areas to keep them engaged. 

“The two governments should direct traditional rulers in the affected areas to take the issue of farmland demarcation very seriously and set up committees to assist in discharging the responsibility.

“Security operatives should rededicate themselves to their responsibilities and discharge their duties of prosecuting offenders with due diligence,” he said.

According to the committee’s recommendation, district heads should engage their communities in frequent meetings and dialogue in order to establish their problems and offer solutions.

The committee also advised that members of vigilante groups and hunters associations in the areas be properly screened before getting approval to assist security operatives.

“Rumour mongering should be discouraged. Youths of Lunguda and Waja should be brought to a roundtable for frank discussions on the causes of crises and proffer solutions,” the committee advised.

It urged Adamawa to rehabilitate Mamsirme Maternal Health Centre and Gundeyi Two Primary and Secondary Schools, affected by the clash.

Responding, Mr Fintiri said maintaining peace was everybody’s responsibility. “It is a collective task that we should discharge together so that we live in peace and harmony,” he added. 

(NAN)