Member of the House of Representatives, representing Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency, Hon Ali isah JC has condemned the tragic events of attack on Powishi Village, Kalmai District, Billiri LGA of Gombe State by yet to be identified gunmen suspected to be herders.
Speaking to Journalists shortly in an interview when he visited the affected community, the Federal Lawmaker said that, “This is not just an attack on a community; it is an attack on humanity and everything we stand for as a people.”
Ali Isa added that, “The pain and loss suffered by the victims and their families cannot be quantified. It breaks my heart to see innocent lives taken and homes destroyed in such a senseless manner.”
He condemned the violence in the strongest terms, calling for urgent intervention by security agencies to restore safety and order.
He also emphasized the need for justice for the victims, saying, “We cannot allow such atrocities to go unanswered.
ALSO READ: Anambra Commissioner denies attack on illegal miners in Nnewi
“We must ensure that those responsible are held accountable, and measures are taken to prevent such tragedies from recurring.”
He lamented, “Today is really a sad day, not only for me but for everyone in the country.
“I have gone to those houses and I have seen the level of the destruction which included food items, buildings, structures and even the lives of innocent people, Nigerians who were killed while sleeping.”
“I want to use this medium to call on the Federal Government and the Gombe State Government to partner and find a lasting solution to the problem.”
“And also, let me use the medium to call on the security agencies to see whatever they can do to identify the criminals that perpetrated this heinous crime, every human being that kills someone is a criminal and should be dealt with as such, no life is expected to be taken by anyone.
“God created every human being and there is no religion that allows that and when a criminal committed a crime, he should be treated as a criminal and we should take all necessary action as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.
He stressed that, “The primary responsibility of any government is to provide adequate security and protect lives and properties, today, people’s lives have been taken and properties destroyed. There must be an urgent action for mitigation.”
“If you look at the destruction of food items, it is massive, we are not talking about the farmers who suffered to cultivate in order to feed themselves and their families only, these food items may also be exported to other areas for support knowing that alot of people are facing hunger in the country presently.”
Following the brutal attack on one of the communities under his representation, he promised that he will do his utmost best to bring sucour to the people of the community but called on National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other relevant authorities to intervene in order to bring relief to the people.
Ali Isa assured the affected families of his unwavering support, promising to amplify their plight until meaningful action was taken.
The Gombe State Police Command had earlier confirmed that only one Mallam Yusuf Akwara was killed by the assailants while the Police Commissioner, Hayatu Usman ordered an on the spot assessment to determine the level of destruction and ascertain the number of casualties.
The Command PPRO, ASP Buhari Abdullahi in a statement issued to Journalists in Gombe stated that the Command deployed Team of Detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department and Men from 34PMF, 59PMF AND Conventional Police to track and bring the perpetrators to book.
He added that the CP alongside Commanding Officer, 301 Artillery Regiment, Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and Chairperson of Billiri LGA visited the scene for assessment and also to commiserate with the Mai Tangale, Kalmai District Head, Families and Communities affected by the unwarranted /mischievous attack.
The CP, Hayatu Usman urged members of the public to be patience and to cooperate with the Police in investigating the ungodly act.
