Adamawa: Attack On Rigangun and Waduku Communities, Bwatiye youth wing calls for Justice and restoration
By Fidelis Jockthan
The Bwatiye Development Association, Youth Wing Worldwide, has called on Adamawa State Government to launch an independent investigation into the attacks on RIGANGUN AND WADUKU COMMUNITIES in Lamurde local government area of the state that left scores death and property worth millions of naira destroyed by arsonists.
A statement signed by the Secretary General of the Association, Kwakano Abner Tangushi and made available to Newsmen in Yola, the Adamawa state Capital, equally advocated for a commission of inquiry to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.
The Statement while urging the communities affected to remain calm by cooperating with security agencies, BDA Youth Wing made a case for the immediate resettlement of displaced persons and facilitation for dialogue in the interest of peace and harmony.
“Over the past week, the peaceful Bwatiye communities of Rigangun and Waduku in Lamurde Local Government Area, Adamawa State, experienced devastating violence following a dispute that began over a small farmland boundary.
What initially appeared to be a minor misunderstanding has tragically escalated into an organized and violent attacks.
Armed individuals, identified to be from the Tsobo (Piye) tribe, reportedly invaded the communities, resulting in the loss of over ten lives, the injury of more than twenty persons, and the displacement of hundreds of community members.
Eyewitnesses and survivors recount how homes, places of worship, and vehicles were set ablaze while food supplies and properties were looted or destroyed, leaving many families without shelter or sustenance.”
The Statement adds that”For generations, the Bwatiye and Tsobo (Piye) communities have lived side-by-side, sharing cultural bonds, mutual respect, and even family ties through intermarriage.
In Rigangun alone, it is estimated that a significant portion of the population has familial roots in the Tsobo (Piye) tribe, and vice versa.
It is therefore deeply painful and confounding that such violence could erupt between people who have historically stood as brothers and neighbors.
This incident is not merely about land. The scale, coordination, and intensity of the attacks raise concerns about larger underlying agendas that must not be overlooked.
The fabric of peace that has bound our communities is under threat, not from historical grievances, but from new forces that appear intent on sowing division and unrest.
We recognize that this crisis reflects deeper systemic issues, including longstanding neglect and leadership failures. Our communities have remained resilient despite these challenges, but this moment demands immediate and decisive response from the authorities”
On the wheels of the massive destruction, the BDA Youth Wing said
“We therefore call on the Adamawa State Government, the Federal Government, and all relevant security and justice institutions to:
* Launch an independent and transparent investigation into the attacks.
* Ensure the protection of lives and property in the affected communities.
* Bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly and fairly.
* Provide relief and resettlement support to the displaced families.
* Facilitate peace dialogues that prioritize long-term harmony, truth, and reconciliation between the affected groups.
We urge all our people to remain calm, vigilant, and committed to the principles of peace and justice. Let us remember that conflict only destroys what generations have built, and that the future of our children depends on the choices we make today.
This is not a time for vengeance. It is a time for truth, accountability, and healing”.
