By Yemi Monday
Yet to be identified gunmen midnight Thursday attacked two communities in Billiri Local Government Area (LGA) of Gombe State, killing three people including a 90-year-old man.
The gunmen, suspected to be bandits, also injured scores of villagers after setting not less than 22 houses ablaze before leaving.
Gombe State Commissioner of Internal Security, Adamu Kubto Dishi, told journalists at Government House, Gombe that the gunmen shot dead two people in Pobawure village and another person in Amtawalam village and set houses ablaze without any provocation from the residents.
He noted that he received call on on Friday at about 2am that the gunmen stormed the villages, adding that he instructed security men to rush to the scenes to repel them.
“If not for the quick response by the security men, the magnitude of the attack would be too much. The security agents had succeeded in repelling them. The gunmen had fled and investigation is currently going on,” he said.
The Commissioner added that the matter was discussed on Friday at the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting where Governor Inuwa Yahaya approved the distribution of relief materials to the victims.
He said the State government delegation led by the Governor had visited the Local Government Area on Friday morning to commiserate with them and give out the relief materials, which consists of food and non-food items.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Gombe State Command, Oqua Etim on Friday paid an on-the -spot assessment visit to the “scene” of the attack at Pobawure and Amtawalam communities in Billiri LGA leading heads of other security agencies in Gombe State.
The CP commiserated with the affected communities over the unfortunate incident that happened and assured them that the Command will not rest until perpetrators of the heinous acts are tracked down and brought to justice.
The CP further appealed for calm and urged them not to take laws into their hands as Police Tactical Teams in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilantes have cordoned the area.
He noted that efforts are in place to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.