Seven Persons Killed by Gunmen in Adamawa

Daji Sani in Yola

No fewer than seven persons have been killed with seven others sustaining various degrees of injury in a fresh attack on Negga community in Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Reports from the affected areas revealed that the suspected gunmen stormed the community at 11 p.m. last Tuesday, and opened fire on the people, consequently killing seven persons and injuring seven others.

Reports stated that the assailants invaded the community with guns and other dangerous weapons to kill the people, as well as displacing many others, adding that those injured in the attack are currently receiving treatment at the Numan General Hospital.

While reacting on the incident yesterday during plenary, the state House of Assembly strongly condemned the attack, and urged the government and security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

The Assembly’s reaction followed a motion on the matter of urgent public interest sponsored by the Deputy Speaker and Member representing Numan constituency, Hon. Pwamwakeno Mackondo.

Earlier, Mackondo said the inhabitants of Negga in his constituency were attacked by armed men as a result of which seven were feared killed, while seven others sustained injuries.

He informed the Assembly that the community has a history of attacks on a regular basis by gunmen, saying when they forwarded the plight of the community, a military unit was deployed, but lamented that the military refused to reside in the community.

The deputy Speaker observed with utter dismay how the hoodlums invaded the community, completed their mission and left freely without and intervention, saying it was after the incident that the security personnel arrived in the community.

He advocated that a military unit is urgently needed so that they can respond immediately and save lives and property of the innocent people.

The lawmaker also pleaded with the state Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide the victims with relief materials to ameliorate their suffering.

Contributing on the motion, Hon. Abdullahi Umar Yapak(Verre) appealed to Adamawa and Taraba States governments to proffer a lasting solution on the issue, calling on the government to establish divisional police headquarters with not less than 30 police officers.

On his part, Hon. Abubakar Isa(Shelleng) said there was no reason why someone would invade a community and start killing people, adding that it is unacceptable and that the Assembly must rise up to condemn it in its totality.

Isa stated that there are constituted authorities for someone or communities to channel their grievances and not killing, and called on relevant authorities to address such situation.

Several other lawmakers, including Hon. Alhassan Hammajoda(Ganye), Hon. Kate Raymond Mamuno (Demsa), Hon. Simon Isa(Song), and Hon. Shuaibu Babas(Fufore/Gurin), who commented on the motion, sympathised with the deputy Speaker and Numan constituency over the incident.

However, the members also resolved and called for the deployment of military unit, establishment of divisional police headquarters in the area, and that SEMA should as a matter of urgency, provide relief materials for the victims.

The lawmakers directed the chairman of Numan LGA to cater for the medical bills of those hospitalised, and that he should convene a security meeting to find out the causes of the attack.