How Gombe rival gangs attacked DPO at reconciliation meeting

What was meant to be a peace meeting between rival factions of the notorious Kalare group in Kwadon town, Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, turned violent, leading to the brutal assault of the Divisional Police Officer of Kwadon Division, CSP Adamu Alhaji-Idi.

Sources within the community said that tensions escalated during the reconciliation effort, culminating in a coordinated attack on the DPO by the suspected Kalare members.

Our correspondent reports that the police boss sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.

Sources disclosed that, “A village head was allegedly arrested following the disappearance of his son who was believed to be the lead mastermind of the attack.

Confirming the incident, the Gombe State Police Command disclosed that 25 suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, “The Gombe State Police Command strongly condemns the recent violent attack on a serving Divisional Police Officer and wishes to inform the general public of the ongoing efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Narrating the incident, Abdullahi revealed that “the command received a distress call at about 9:00 a.m. from the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, notifying them of the assault.

In a swift response to the emergency, a team of patrol officers from Operation Hattara, led by CSP Ali Madaki, was deployed to the scene,” Abdullahi added.

Following coordinated tactical operations, 25 suspects, all residents of Kwadon town, were arrested in connection with the incident. They are currently in police custody undergoing a discreet investigation. Upon completion of the investigation, they will be charged in court accordingly,” he said.

The DPO, CSP Adamu Alhaji-Idi, reportedly suffered a deep injury on his forehead alongside other injuries during the attack and remains under medical care.”

In a show of solidarity which also aims to underscore the gravity of the offence, while also assessing firsthand, the Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Yahaya, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations visited Kwadon

“Their visit was aimed at assessing the situation firsthand, commiserating with officers on ground, and assuring the community of the Command’s resolve to tackle criminality without compromise,” the police spokesperson stated.

DSP Abdullahi further emphasised the Command’s zero-tolerance policy towards violence against law enforcement personnel.

“The police will not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law upon anyone found guilty of disrupting public peace or endangering the lives of law enforcement officers,” he warned.

The CP also called on the residents’ office, Kwadon and the wider Gombe State communities to remain law-abiding and support the ongoing investigation.

“The era of attacking security personnel with impunity is over. The Command will ensure that justice is seen and peace is maintained,” he assured the top members at the meeting.