The Gombe State commissioner for Environment and Forest Resources, Hussaina Goje, has resigned her position, a day after thugs, allegedly sponsored by the state, attacked her father, Danjuma Goje.
At a press conference on Saturday, Ms Goje said she reigned on personal grounds.
She thanked the state governor, Inuwa Yahaya, for giving her the opportunity to serve in his cabinet as commissioner.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that Mr Goje was yesterday prevented from entering Gombe by people suspected to be thugs, who hauled projectiles at this vehicle.
At least five people were reportedly killed in the clash.
The governor, who served as commissioner during Mr Goje’s administration, is at dagger-drawn with the senator.
Mr Goje’s aide, Lilian Nworie, in a statement issued Friday alleged that the thugs were loyal to Gombe State governor, Inuwa Yahaya.
The attack took place in the neighbourhood of the International Conference Centre on the Bauchi-Gombe Road, adding that the thugs set a bonfire to stop the Senator, who was on a private visit to the state.
The state governor however accused the senator of mobilizing thugs that caused mayhem in the state.
A statement by the commissioner for Information and Culture, Julius Lepes, condemned the breach of peace in the state capital, saying government would not fold its arms to “watch desperate politicians unleash terror and violence on innocent citizens”.
“Gombe state Government has condemned in strongest term, the breach of peace in the state capital, caused by the visit of a former Governor of the state and Senator representing Gombe Central, Sen. Muhammad Danjuma Goje.
“The former Governor, in his characteristic manner, decided to mobilize thugs from various LGAs armed to their teeth under the pretext of accompanying him from the airport into the State capital for reasons best known to him.
“Recall that during the last Eid el-Kabir Sallah celebration, the same person sponsored some thugs that threw caution into the wind and went on rampage, leading to loss of 2 lives. Also just last week at Deba in Yamaltu Deba LGA the same scenario played out at the instance of the Senator.
“It is sad that Goje has not left his old ways and is bent on bringing back his brainchild (Kalare) to unleash mayhem and bug the peaceful atmosphere of Gombe State.
“Gombe state has been witnessing relative peace and harmony due largely to the determination and avowed commitment of Governor Inuwa Yahaya in that direction and therefore the government would not stand by and watch desperate politicians unleash terror and violence on innocent citizens to the extent of getting people killed.
“While sympathising with families of the five people killed and those who sustained various degrees of injuries, Government commends the security agencies for their timely intervention in bringing the ugly situation under control.
“His Excellency, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya as the Chief Security officer of the State, will not renege on his responsibilities and therefore will do everything necessary to protect the lives and property of the citizenry.
“Government will make sure that perpetrators of the unfortunate act, no matter how highly placed are brought to book,” the government spokesman said.
