Three killed in Bogoro crisis — Committe Report

The fact-finding committee set up by the chairman, Bogoro Local Government Area to investigate the violence that erupted in the area during the 21st memorial anniversary of a Sayawa leader and crusader, Baba Peter Gonto, has confirmed that three persons were killed, while some houses and cars were vandalised.

Chairman of the committee Mr Simon Dudo Michael K., made the confirmation while submitting the committee’s report to the local government chairman, Honourable Iliya Habila, in his office, on Monday.

According to Michael, the committee did not only do a thorough job but also identified those affected by the skirmishes and extent of damages done to the lives and properties during the 30th-31st December, 2021 Gonto 21st memorial anniversary.

He informed that the committee in its report recommended for the immediate assistance to be given to the victims with a view to cushioning the adverse effects of the violence on them.

Receiving the report, Hon Habila commended members of the 11-man committee for a job well done, saying that the crisis led to staining the peaceful and harmonious relationship existing between Zaar people and other minority tribes in the area through a selfish and self serving interest.

Recalling the incidence, Habila said, “In the morning of the grand finale of the anniversary, law abiding citizens from the villages of both Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro LGAs, the state and across other states were trooping into the venue for the event.

“In fact, some personalities had gone to the venue of the historic event and the event had started when reports reached us that some persons, including women and children had gathered themselves in Tafawa Balewa and were marching to Bogoro to come and disrupt the event.

“The hoodlums blocked roads from Tafawa Balewa, Gobbiya, Mallar-Lusa and other entry points to Bogoro, smashed cars, beat those who were going for the events and created chaos and anarchy in the local government.

“Important guests and personalities from across the country who had been invited to the event and were coming were molested; their cars smashed and were forced to go back.”

According to him, despite these, the hoodlums still advanced through Bar to Bogoro with the intention of disrupting the event, adding that it was, therefore, hurriedly ended after the convener, Professor Suleiman Elias Bogoro, presented his speech in which he urged all to embrace peace and announced the establishment of the Baba Peter Gonto Foundation.

“Still determined to cause disharmony, some of the hoodlums who had taken the Bar-Mwari road went to the venue of the event, set the whole place ablaze.

“Other hoodlums in Mwari too went about destroying houses and properties of the sons of the late patriarch, Baba Peter Gonto Mwari and those whom they perceived to be supporting the event,” the chairman said.

He added that, “the eldest son of Baba Peter Gonto was attacked in his house by the rampaging youth where he was almost killed. He later died in the hospital after seven days of excruciating pains.

“Another 12-year-old boy was also said to have died in Mwari during the attack. May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.”

The council chairman further said that, “my dear brothers and sisters of Bogoro LGA, we have been the most peaceful community in the state, knowing that our common enemies have been poverty, illiteracy and other developmental challenges.

“Our very focus over the years has been on farming and education. We embraced politics and we are still learning the robes. And that is why any developmental projects that have to do with education, skills acquisition, agriculture and small scale businesses are welcome developments in our LGA.

“That explained the reason for us to accept wholeheartedly the hosting of the Baba Gonto event which had as its central theme the establishment of the Foundation. I believe if there is a community that is in dire need of a foundation that would cater for the education of our students, skill acquisition and other empowerment programme for our women and youths, it’s Bogoro LGA. And the event was aimed at meeting such needs.”

Habila informed that while co-hosting the event, Bogoro had welcomed the development amidst some misgivings, which he said was normal in human existence, adding that some lies from the pit of hell were manufactured, using the mindset of the people and some gullible youths to rubbish the well intended project.

According to him, “ironically, those that were supposed to be the beneficiaries of such a noble gesture were the ones used to disrupt the event.

“In this scenario, the peaceful and harmonious relationship that existed between brothers and sisters of Zaar land and other minority tribes in our communities have been stained through a selfish and self serving interest.”

He, however, lamented further that the unfortunate event has passed but left the people of the area with a new and regrettable development, submitting that, “the wounds and scares are all over in our families, the negative values of hate, jealousy, bitterness, envy have been planted in the minds of our young ones.

“Even within same families, there is rancour and disharmony because of lies and selfishness of some persons.”