By John Bulus

Gombe — Fear has gripped Gombe State as there are concerns that Gombe Federal Prisons may be another port of call of the members of Boko Haram, an Islamic religious sect which debuted on August last year in Maiduguri, Borno State, killing hundreds of people, most of whom were members and officers of the Nigeria Police in a chain of attacks meted against major police formations and other public buildings in the state.

With the latest attacks aimed at freeing their members in Bauchi Prisons, in a state of about 150 kilometre’s drive that also shares a common boundary with Gombe State, palpable tension and worry has gripped Gombe State.

Residents of Gombe metropolis are now looking apprehensive as unusual security operatives both in uniform and plain clothes parade the length and breath of the town.

Security at Gombe Prisons located at the heart of the city opposite the Emir of Gombe Palace yesterday
witnessed heavy security presence as part of the measures taken by the government to forestall any eventual occurrence in the state.

Speaking to newsmen at the Gombe airport on his return to the state from Mecca, Saudi Arabia, where he had gone to perform this year’s lesser hajj, the governor of the state, Ahaji Mohammad Danjuma Goje reiterated the commitment of his administration to protect the lives and property of the citizenry and to deal ruthlessly with any group or individuals whosestock-in trade is to foment trouble in the country.

He, however, condoled with the Bauchi State government and the families of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident in the latest Bauchi Prisons raid.

Investigations further revealed that Gombe has for a long time been the target of most Islamic insurgents as the state has refuted all manners of threats to join the bandwagon.

It could be recalled that when the last year’s case erupted in Borno, Yobe and Bauchi States which are all neighboring states of Gombe, the state government stoutly rose in condemning the “modern day madness”. Also, the incessant Jos crisis has not helped matters as it ripple effect always causes apprehension in Gombe State