What was supposed to be a reconciliation meeting between rival factions of the dreaded Kalare cult group in Kwadon town, Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, turned into a scene of violent chaos after the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Kwadon Division, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Adamu Alhaji-Idi, was viciously attacked.
Multiple eyewitness accounts confirmed that the peace parley, aimed at dousing long-standing tensions between the warring groups, escalated unexpectedly. The DPO, who was at the centre of efforts to restore normalcy, was reportedly assaulted in what appears to be a coordinated attack by suspected members of the Kalare group. The ambush left him with severe injuries, including a deep gash to his forehead. He was promptly rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, for urgent medical attention.
It was further gathered that tensions heightened shortly after the meeting commenced, with verbal altercations quickly degenerating into physical violence. Sources revealed that the son of a local village head, alleged to be a major instigator of the fracas, mysteriously disappeared shortly after the incident. In a swift response, security operatives apprehended the village head for questioning regarding his son’s whereabouts and possible involvement in orchestrating the attack.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Gombe State Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Buhari Abdullahi, stated that 25 individuals suspected to have played roles in the violent disruption were apprehended. He described the assault as not just criminal but a direct affront to the authority and sanctity of law enforcement.
According to DSP Abdullahi, the command received a distress call around 9:00 a.m. from the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations. This led to the immediate deployment of a tactical team from Operation Hattara, headed by CSP Ali Madaki, to intervene and bring the situation under control. The suspects, all identified as residents of Kwadon town, are currently in custody and undergoing interrogation. The police assured that once investigations are concluded, the culprits will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
In what appeared to be a strong statement of intent and solidarity, the Gombe State Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Yahaya, alongside the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), visited the community. The visit was not only to evaluate the aftermath of the violence but also to reassure both the police personnel and the residents that the command remains unwavering in its fight against criminal gangs.
DSP Abdullahi reiterated the state command’s zero-tolerance stance towards attacks on officers. He warned that anyone who engages in acts of violence, especially against security agents, would face the full wrath of the law. “The time when criminals act with impunity and target officers of the law is over. We will ensure that justice prevails and peace is maintained,” he declared.
The CP, in his remarks during the visit, urged the people of Kwadon and other communities in Gombe State to cooperate with security agencies and resist any attempt to shield perpetrators. He maintained that the assault on CSP Alhaji-Idi is not just an attack on the police but an attack on the peace and order of the state. He called for calm and reassured the people that decisive steps are being taken to prevent a recurrence.
This disturbing incident has reignited conversations around cult-related violence in Gombe State and the growing risks faced by law enforcement officers in volatile communities. As investigations continue, the state awaits the outcome, with expectations that justice will be served swiftly and transparently.
