The Bauchi State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has secretly obtained an ex parte order from the court to remand in prison the detained Bauchi Chief, Gung Zaar of Zaar Land, His Royal Majesty, Ishaku Komo.
SaharaReporters had reported on Thursday, that Komo, a retired Air Commodore with the Nigerian Air Force was being detained at the Bauchi State Police Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department over an undisclosed offence.
A source had told SaharaReporters that Christian chiefs in the state and other parts of Northern Nigeria were constantly being harassed and intimidated by security agencies, working as tools in the hands of northern political leaders who were largely Muslims.
It was gathered that northern governors, who were Muslims had stepped up the harassment of Christian chiefs after the February 25 presidential election, especially those in communities that voted massively for the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Following the report, the police on Friday went and obtained an ex parte order from the court to remand Komo in the correctional centre after allegedly implicating him with the suspects arrested in connection with crisis in Sang village where one person was killed and houses destroyed over community leadership tussle.
Another source who would not want his identity revealed told SaharaReporters on Friday that Komo's ordeal was a political fight between the Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed and Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara, the Speaker of the 8th National Assembly.
"The governor is trying to use HRM Gung Zaar to get back at Dogara," he added.
Meanwhile, the Bauchi Police Command in a crime bulletin issued on Friday denied that His Royal Majesty Komo was arrested, harassed and intimidated by security agencies.
The crime bulletin signed by the command’s spokesperson, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, said, "The command wishes to categorically state that the narrative being peddled around is completely not true account of what transpired, neither is it the reality on ground as being portrayed by the bogus section of the media."
According to the police spokesman, "on 15/04/2023 at about 1900hrs, the Command received a distress call over an ongoing skirmish in Bogoro L.G.A of the State.
"Following the narratives, it has become imperative to update members of the Public on the Command's Investigative findings and position regarding the true rendition of the case.
"Preliminary Investigation revealed that the communal clash in Sang village of Bogoro LGA emanated from the Coronation of a Hamlet Head of Sang who the Air Commodore retired acting as Gumzaar of Sayawa Community, one Air Commodore Ishaku Komo rtd, selected one Mr. Matthew Ishaya as the Hamlet Head of Sang village Bogoro LGA of Bauchi State.
"The irate youth from different factions protested against the coronation of the new Sayawa Hamlet chief. This resulted in igniting the unhealthy and troublesome situation.
"Consequently, it resulted in the attack of innocent residents, as the irate youths set sixty-five (65) houses, three (3) motorcycles and other properties worth millions of Naira ablaze. And also, one Apollos Danlami 'M' 70 years was coldly killed in the incident while Naemiya Bature 65 years and six others were grievously injured in the fracas.
"Prompt response and action by the Command has yielded the immediate arrest of seven suspects in connection to the turmoil including the retired Air commodore; thus.
"Air Commodore Ishaku Komo rtd 'm' 71years, Matthew Ishaya 'm' 56years, Yakubu Bala 'm' 65years, Appolos Hassan 'm' 72years, Nathaniel Joshua 'm' 40years, Abenagu Zakka m aged 30yrs and James Dajum m aged 65yrs."
Wakil further stated that one locally made revolver pistol and one cartridge with one knife were recovered from the suspects.
He added, that "discreet investigation by the Command has uncovered that there is a Prima-Facie case for the offences of criminal conspiracy, Inciting Disturbance of the public Peace, Mischief by fire, causing grievous hurt and culpable homicide against the aforementioned persons.
"Investigation remains at top gear and more revelations will be communicated in due course."