The Gombe government has announced the suspension of two traditional rulers for failing to take necessary measures to prevent farmer-herder conflict in their communities.

A violent farmer-herder clash in the Funakaye community led to the death of two persons, a village head’s son and a policeman.

Zubairu Umar, the commissioner of justice, made the announcement in Gombe while addressing a news conference after an expanded security council meeting chaired by Governor Inuwa Yahaya.

Mr Umar said that the traditional rulers included the district and village heads.

“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 stated that Gombe had maintained a record of being one of the safest states, largely due to the government’s proactive efforts. 

“The recent resurgence of the 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,” stated Mr Umar.

Mr Umar also expressed the council’s dissatisfaction over the attack on some security personnel. He said that some arrests had been made and the suspects would soon be charged in 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.

(NAN)