Gongola People’s Forum Submits Peace Reports on Demsa, Lamurde Communal Clashes to Governor Fintiri

By Emmanuel Kwada

The Gongola People’s Forum (GPF), a prominent socio-cultural organisation representing indigenous ethnic nationalities of the former Gongola State, on Thursday formally presented two comprehensive peace reports on the recent communal clashes in Demsa and Lamurde Local Government Areas to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri at the Government House, Yola.

The presentation, led by GPF National Chairman Engr. Markus Natina Gundiri, marks the culmination of investigative work by a special committee inaugurated by the forum on September 14, 2025, to examine the root causes of the conflicts and propose lasting solutions.

The clashes, which erupted earlier in 2025 primarily in July and August, pitted communities such as the Chobo and Bachama against each other in Lamurde, resulting in loss of lives, destruction of homes, and mass displacement. Similar tensions have been reported in parts of Demsa.

The violence prompted Governor Fintiri to impose a 24-hour curfew in Lamurde in July, while security agencies were deployed to restore order.

Presenting the reports, Engr. Gundiri expressed profound appreciation to the governor for granting the committee unrestricted access and support.

“Your Excellency, before we commenced this committee work, we were in contact with you and we got your approval as the chief executive of the state with the promise to give us all the necessary support to achieve peace in those areas,” Gundiri said.

“We want to appreciate you profoundly for keeping your promise and again commend your excellent work in the state not only for peace but for the amazing development the state has recorded under your leadership.”

He described the committee’s findings as “profound” and stressed that the recommendations are designed to deliver permanent resolution rather than temporary calm.

Gundiri also praised Governor Fintiri’s bold traditional restructuring, noting that no previous administration; civilian or military had dared to create new chiefdoms and emirates in a state long perceived as dominated by one minority ethnic group.

“You have done what no governor, even under the defunct military regimes, dared to do by creating new chiefdoms and Emirates in the state that was literally ‘owned’ by one minority tribe while the majority indigenous ethnic nationalities looked on helplessly,” he stated.

He therefore urged the governor to give the reports urgent attention “to assuage the sufferings of the victims of the crises,” adding that GPF has complete confidence in the administration and will continue partnering with it for the remainder of the governor’s tenure.

In his response, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri commended GPF and the committee for their swift and patriotic intervention, describing peace as the foundation of all his administration’s achievements in infrastructure, education, health, and agriculture.

“I have achieved what I have done because I was able to achieve peace first,” the governor said.

He urged the forum to extend similar efforts to other flashpoints across the state to prevent further bloodshed and destruction of property.

Governor Fintiri immediately directed his Chief of Staff, Dr. Amos Edgar, to constitute a technical committee that will harmonise all existing reports on the Demsa and Lamurde crises,  including the GPF documents for rapid government action and implementation.

The presentation ceremony was attended by senior government officials, traditional rulers, and GPF executives. Observers described the event as another demonstration of the Fintiri administration’s openness to civil society input in tackling insecurity and fostering inclusive governance in Adamawa State.

Residents of the affected communities in Demsa and Lamurde have expressed hope that swift implementation of the reports’ recommendations will finally bring lasting peace and enable thousands of displaced persons to return home and rebuild their lives.