Groups urge youths to shun call for June 12 protest in Gombe
A coalition of youth groups in Gombe State, on Wednesday condemned the recent killing of a 45-year-old community leader and industrialist, Amadu Kasiran, on June 8 by some suspected Kalare boys, describing the act as a threat to peace in the state.
Speaking through a joint press statement issued in Gombe, Mr MK Ishaku, the publicity secretary for the coalition urged the security agencies to leave no stone unturned towards ensuring that the suspects were brought to book.
The groups which focus on peace-building, good governance and youth development comprised Youths with Vision and Progressive Youths for Gombe.
Ishaku said that the life of every citizen in the state is important and must be protected in line with the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He called on the security agencies to put in more efforts to stem the tide of criminality and other issues that were threatening the peace of residents of the state.
He said that the prevailing peaceful coexistence being enjoyed in the state needed the collective efforts of all residents to be sustained, hence urged residents to also support security agencies in addressing the rising cases of cult-related activities in the state.
“We are commending the police and all security agencies in the state for their efforts in ensuring peace and it is in this regard that we call on residents to give them the necessary backing for them to succeed.
“The success of the security personnel in the state will translate to improved peace and security in the state,” he said.
Following the recent upsurge in the activities of suspected Kalare boys and other criminal-related elements, “we are urging our teeming members and other youths in the state to back down on any attempt at protesting during the June 12 Democracy Day.
“Our reason is simple. The protest could be hijacked by criminal elements to breach peace in the state and this will not benefit anyone in the state.
“We stand for peace, progress and development and anything that negates these, we will not support.
“Our youths in the state must remember that we have no other place than Gombe State, we must work for the peace and tranquillity of our great state,” he appealed.
Ishaku urged the security agencies to sustain efforts at nipping crimes in the bud while improving surveillance in areas that needed improved patrols.
