November 14, (THEWILL) – Billiri is a proud and prosperous local government area in Gombe state. Agriculture thrives there – apparently because of its fertile soil. Billiri has recently been dealt a very heavy blow, as various forms of insecurity including kidnappings, and farmland disputes, have become the norm.
There are abductions by unknown individuals in Tudu kwaya, Todi, and Kuran mota axis of Billiri local government area, residents and community heads are weekly and fortnightly kidnapped, and little or no support has been provided to help tackle this issue. Surveys have shown that earlier kidnappings happened mostly at midnight, but the criminals now execute their operations in broad daylight, with no iota or form of fear.
Some vocal kidnap victims in Billiri include Babawuro Tashan Tsamiya and Andiye Salifawa, while others have chosen to remain unnamed because they were released after ransoms were paid.
Abdulsalam Kuranmota is still in captivity, with his family in a state of grief. The released victims shared their experiences while in captivity and they recounted the inhuman treatment meted at them from the point of abduction to the point of their release.
One of the burning issues in Billiri is the farmland dispute amongst residents of the local government area and on some occasions with outsiders. This has led to farmers sustaining serious injuries, as well as the loss of lives.
Billiri has also experienced the loss of harvested farm produce through theft. Affected commercial farmers have lost the little profit they are supposed to make, while local farmers, who farm for their own consumption have also lost theirs.
Gombe is said to be the safest state in the North-East, but this is an illusion set in place to cover the burning issue of insecurity in remote areas of Gombe state. This issue has become so widespread and has been neglected to the extent that one wonders what will become of Gombe if this continues.
Agriculture and Security are key aspects in the development of a state because they greatly improve the economic atmosphere of the state. As productivity in agriculture increases, surplus labour and capital is created and diverted to investments in the industrial sector resulting in economic growth. Today, the economic atmosphere in Gombe has become dense. Small and large businesses are barely surviving.
Gombe state needs a key player, who will appropriately safeguard the lives and interests of the people, and also understands the short and long-term effects of insecurity on the state. Gombe is a Jewel, which needs to be protected so that it would continue to shine in the savannah.
Written by Nasiru Usman from Gombe.
