Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has pledged to rebuild public and private structures in Azare town, Katagum Local Government Area, following significant damage caused during recent protests against bad governance. During his visit to assess the destruction, the governor condemned the actions of the rampaging youths, calling the vandalism unwarranted and criminal.
Governor Mohammed assured residents that his administration would restore the damaged local government secretariat and government lodge. He expressed deep concern over the scale of the destruction, describing it as a monumental loss for both the government and the affected individuals.
At the Palace of the Emir of Katagum, Alhaji Umar Farouk II, the governor attributed the protests to government failures in meeting the needs and aspirations of the people. He sympathized with the Emir and promised to enhance security measures to prevent future incidents. The governor also announced a relaxation of the 24-hour curfew in the area, reducing it to 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Governor Mohammed emphasized his commitment to addressing the underlying issues in Azare and called on traditional and religious leaders to support government efforts to promote peace and harmony. He also promised assistance to the former Deputy Governor, Senator Baba Tela, whose residence and a neighboring school were affected during the protests.
The Emir of Katagum expressed gratitude for the governor’s quick response, which helped prevent further violence, and urged more efforts to tackle youth restiveness and unemployment. Governor Mohammed also visited Buskuri village, where a section of the Kano/Maiduguri Federal road was damaged by heavy rain, promising to bring the issue to the attention of the federal government.
