rise up and develop a strong security, network and vigilante system that will check and defend the land in the event of an unprovoked attempt on the people of the land.
The call was made by the
Secretary General of the group, Lamela Umaru Lakorok, when TCO visited the two
communities that were attacked, Amtawalam, and Pobawure, to commiserate with
them over the occurrences, as well as distribute the sum of one million naira
(N1 million) to victims of the attack, donated by the group.
The General Secretary said
they are deeply disturbed by the attack and it is obligatory for them to
contribute and alleviate the suffering of the victims, noting that whatever
affects people at home it also affects them all wherever they are residing.
Umaru said they are
calling on Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe state to stop claiming reprisal and
set up a committee to investigate the unprovoked attacks on Tangale
communities, saying that Tangale people have no history of carrying out an
attack on any community.
“The TCO also calls on the
Governor to redeem the promise of one million naira (N1 million), he made when
he visited these communities, reminding him that these are victims of
unprovoked attacks, therefore, he should not play politics with them.
The Tangale Community
Overseas (TCO) welcomed the proposal by the state government to establish a
mobile police base in the attacked area, however, cautioned that the plan
should not be replaced by the establishment of a police outpost, which will
not have the capacity to check attacks by marauders.
He applauded the District
Head of Kalmai, Mr. Amadu Zubairu, for his fatherly role, when he promptly
visited the areas in the wake of the attack, describing him as the type of
leader the Tangale nation needed at this perilous time.
Speaking during the visits,
Acting President of Tangale Community Development Association (TCDA), Mr. Pinas
Tidgo Gambo, while expressing dismay over the attacks, he called on Tangale
sons and daughters to always support one another in times of difficulty.
While eulogizing the TCO
for showing practical love and identifying with the victims, Mr. Gambo called on
other well-to-do Tangale sons and daughters to come to the aid of the Amtawalam
and Pobawure communities. “Our children living overseas have demonstrated to us
that their hearts are at home. This action of theirs is what we call practical
love – only a person who has you at heart can do this. We call on other
well-to-do Tangale sons and daughters to emulate what the TCO did and come to
support the people of Amwatalwam and Pobawure’ he added.
He further noted that “The
Tangale people are peace-loving in their very nature and we have a record of
living cordially with our neighbours’.
“We don’t have a record of
carrying out an attack on anyone, so those who describe this action as a
reprisal should also be quick to name the community we have attacked, or burnt
their property.
In a remark, Mr. Iliyasu
Ali, who represented the District Head of Kalmai, expressed appreciation saying
the gesture will go a long way in aiding victims of the attack.
Some of the beneficiary
victims who spoke thanked members of TCO for supporting them and prayed that
God will continue to bless all Tangale sons and daughters in the diaspora.
