Gombe State Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Keftin Amuga, yesterday urged the state governor, Inuwa Yahaya, to release those arrested since 2021 following a violent protest over the appointment of the current emir of Billiri otherwise known as “Mai Tangale”.
LEADERSHIP reports that the detainees were arrested by security operatives following the breakdown of law and order over the appointment of the new monarch.
Amuga in a press statement issued to felicitate with Christians in the yuletide obtained by our correspondent appealed to the governor to release those he described as ‘political prisoners’ over their involvement in the Mai Tangle debacle.
According to Amuga, their continued incarceration is unjust, and appealed to the governor to release them without further delay.
“This heartfelt call is crucial to dispel any notion that the governor’s actions were religiously motivated to persecute Tangale Christians,” he stated.
Our correspondent gathered that there are currently six persons in custody; two of who are seriously ill and being denied bail.
A resident of the community alleged that among the detainees is a woman with serious respiratory complications and was released by the order of the chief judge on health grounds.
“As we speak some persons with vested interests went ahead to scuttle the process of bailing them. Those still in detention are; Abdon Lamai, Moses Dan Alfa, Phelix Paul, Malachi Paul, Shadrach Timothy, Grace Timothy,” he added.