Niger community decries unjust treatment by Kontagora Emirate

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

The Salka Elites Forum of Nigeria, Niger State chapter has lamented over what they described as injustice and unfair treatment of Kambari people by the Kontagora Emirate for appointing Hausa Fulani settler as the Village Head of Tungan Kade.
This was contained in a press statement made available to newsmen at the end of a one day retreat held in Minna.
They described the emirate action as very disrespectful, uncalled for and unacceptable to the Kambari people.
According to the forum, the turbaning of Hausa Fulani as village Head of Tungan Kade has resulted in burning down of houses, business premises and many were injured during the crisis that erupted in the area.
They noted that the new district consisting of about eight Kambari communities and only one Fulani community where the emirate made the Fulani community as headquarter and Fulani person as District Head, describing the situation as unfortunate and regrettable.
The Salka Elites Forum advised the Emir who is the custodian of traditions in the Emirate to respect the traditions of the different tribal groups under his domain and make consultations before taking decisions that affect them.
They however appealed to Governor Muhammad Umar Bago to urgently intervene and cancel all the illegalities and controversial appointments to restore peace and coexistence in the area as well to save the Kambari tradition, norms and values.
Similarly, the forum also called on the Inspector General of Police and the Niger State Commissioner of Police to as a matter of urgency redeploy the Area Commander of Kontagora, ACP Gawuna out of the state for allegedly compromising the professional conduct of the force by involving in traditional institution matters.
When contacted a close emirate source confirmed the development and said that Governor Mohammed Umar Bago following the received of the complaint has urgently intervened to resolve the matter amicably to ensure peace and tranquility in the area, just as all efforts to get the emirate spokesman proved abortive.