By Muhammad Auwal
The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 15 suspects following a violent clash between rival youth groups in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area, as the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, led a high-level security delegation to assess the situation and coordinate efforts to restore lasting peace.
The clash, which erupted in the Tsakuwa area of Azare in the early hours of Saturday, left about 10 people injured and triggered a swift response from security operatives.
According to the Police Command, a distress call was received at about 12:15 a.m. reporting that rival youths from Tsakuwa and Matsango communities had engaged in a violent confrontation.
Police patrol teams were immediately deployed to the area, where the hoodlums were dispersed using minimal force to prevent further escalation of the violence.
The Command said about 10 persons from both groups sustained varying degrees of injuries and were evacuated to the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital (FUHSTH), Azare, for medical treatment.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police personally visited Azare for an on-the-spot assessment of the security situation. During the visit, he inspected the affected communities, met with security personnel and community stakeholders, visited the injured victims at the hospital and paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Katagum, Alhaji Umar Faruq II.
CP Sani-Omolori commended the prompt response of the Area Commander, Azare, the Divisional Police Officer, personnel of the Police Mobile Force, the Violent Crime Response Unit, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and other security outfits, noting that their swift intervention prevented further destruction of property and possible loss of lives.
The Emir of Katagum praised the professionalism of the security agencies in restoring law and order and pledged the support of the Emirate Council in identifying those responsible for the violence to ensure they are brought to justice.
The Police Commissioner directed the deployment of sustained patrol teams and round-the-clock surveillance across the affected communities to prevent any reprisal attacks and maintain public order.
He also ordered a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the clash, with a mandate to identify, arrest and prosecute all those found to have masterminded or participated in the violence.
The Police Command confirmed that 15 suspects have so far been arrested, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects linked to the disturbance.
CP Sani-Omolori appealed to parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders and youth groups to discourage violence and embrace dialogue as a means of resolving disputes.
He assured residents that normalcy has largely been restored, with enhanced security presence across Azare, and urged members of the public to continue their lawful activities without fear while cooperating with security agencies by providing credible information.
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