Gov. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has convened an emergency Security Council meeting following a tragic incident during an Easter procession in Billiri that resulted in loss of lives and injuries.
The meeting, held on Tuesday at the Government House, was aimed at taking decisive action on the matter and instituting measures to prevent a recurrence.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Zubair Mohammed Umar, said the Council expressed deep concern over the incident and sympathised with the affected families.
He said the Council resolved that the state government would support the families of the deceased and foot the medical bills of those injured.
According to him, the governor has directed a thorough investigation and immediate arraignment of the suspect to allow the law to take its full course.
The commissioner added that the Council mandated all groups, including religious organisations, to inform security agencies before organising any procession in the state.
“This will enable the security operatives to provide adequate protection and ensure crowd control,” he said.
He said the Council also resolved to hold security meetings ahead of future festive events to strategise on citizens’ safety, crowd management and traffic control.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Governor Manassah Daniel Jatau; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi; Chief of Staff, Abubakar Inuwa Kari; and Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Col. Abdullahi Bello (rtd).
Others were the Special Adviser on Security, Abubakar Aminu; ALGON Chairman, Barr. Sani Ahmad Haruna; DG GOSTEC, ACP Ibrahim Bappah (rtd), and heads of security agencies, including the Commissioner of Police, State Director of DSS, Commandant of 301 Artillery Brigade, Civil Defence Corps and Defence Intelligence Agency.
