Police arrest Bauchi chief over communal crisis, death of 70-year-old man
Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of the Chief of Sayawa land, otherwise called the Gung Zaar-select, Ishaku Komo, and six others over the communal crisis that took place in Sang Village in Bogoro Local Government Area of the State in which a 70-year-old man was killed, many injured and 74 houses and shops burnt.
In a statement signed and made available to journalists in Bauchi on Friday, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, said that the crisis happened following the coronation of the Hamlet Head of Sang by Komo, a retired Air Commodore.
READ ALSO: Violent protest rocks Bauchi community over coronation of Sang village head
Wakil, a Superintendent of Police, said irate youths from different factions in the village protested against the coronation of the new Sayawa Hamlet chief. The protest ignited a troublesome situation, Punch News reports.
He said, “It could be recalled that on 15th April 2023 at about 7.00 pm, the Command received a distress call over an ongoing skirmish in Bogoro L.G.A of the State.
“Following the narratives, it has become imperative to update members of the public on the Command’s Investigative findings and position regarding the true rendition of the case.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the communal clash in Sang village of Bogoro LGA emanated from the Coronation one Mr Matthew Ishaya as the Hamlet Head of Sang village Bogoro LGA of Bauchi State by Air Commodore Ishaku Komo retired, acting as Gung zaar of Sayawa Community.
“The irate youth from different factions protested against the coronation of the new Sayawa Hamlet chief. This resulted in igniting the unhealthy and troublesome situation.”
The statement said consequently it resulted in the attack of innocent residents as the irate youths set sixty-five houses, three motorcycles and other properties worth millions of naira ablaze.
The command also disclosed that one Apollos Danlami, male, (70) was killed in the incident while one Nahemiya Bature (65) and six others were injured in the fracas which prompted a response and action by the Command where they arrested seven suspects in connection to the turmoil including the retired Air Commodore.
He gave the names of those arrested as Air Commodore Ishaku Komo rtd, male (71); Matthew Ishaya, male (56); Yakubu Bala ‘m’ (65); Apollos Hassan (72); Nathaniel Joshua, (40); Abenagu Zakka, male (30) and James Dajum m (66)
According to him, they recovered one locally made revolver pistol and one cartridge and one knife.
Furthermore, a discreet investigation by the command uncovered that there is a case for the offences of criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance of the public peace, mischief by fire, causing grievous hurt and culpable homicide against the suspect’s persons.
Wakil, however, dismissed viral media publications making the rounds that Air Commodore Ishaku Komo was arrested, harassed and intimidated by security agencies.
They also dismissed the report that Christians in the state were targeted.