Caretaker Committee condemns disruption of inauguration, thanks supporters, and urges security agencies to unmask and prosecute those behind the violence
By Our Correspondent
GANYE, ADAMAWA STATE – The Caretaker Committee of the Ganye Concern Citizens Association (GCCA) has broken its silence over the violent disruption of its inauguration, demanding a thorough, impartial and professional investigation and the prosecution of anyone found culpable.
In a press statement issued ahead of its press conference, the association described the events of Sunday, October 11, 2026, as deeply troubling. It alleged that men described by witnesses as armed hoodlums stormed the Poksun Multi-Purpose Hall, Ganye, during the inauguration of the GCCA Caretaker Executive Committee. They reportedly halted the programme and attacked members, invited guests and journalists covering the event.
The association insisted that a gathering meant to promote community development, responsible civic engagement and good governance should never become a scene of violence and intimidation. The incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of journalists and community stakeholders in a town long associated with peaceful coexistence.
The committee expressed disappointment that an occasion devoted to accountability, peace, security and sustainable development was allegedly met with violence. It warned that such acts threaten the mutual respect and communal harmony for which Ganye has long been known.
Journalists, guests and members of the public, it stressed, must be able to take part in lawful community activities without fear. It urged community leaders, peace advocates and security agencies to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves, and insisted that disagreements be settled by lawful and peaceful means, not force.
The association also used the moment to clarify its legal status, mission and independence. It said the GCCA is registered with the Adamawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
The committee described the GCCA as an independent pressure group formed in response to growing concern among youths and other citizens over the perceived inefficiency of certain public institutions in Ganye. Its core objectives, it said, are accountability, responsible leadership, good governance, peace, security and sustainable development.
It further stated that the organisation is not controlled by any individual and is not subject to the command or influence of any government or political interest.
“Our loyalty is to the people of Ganye, the rule of law, and the collective aspiration for a better community,” the statement declared.
The declaration reinforces the GCCA’s image as a civic pressure group serving community interests rather than any personal or political agenda.
Among the most disturbing aspects of the incident was the alleged assault on journalists who came to cover the inauguration. The committee voiced particular concern for media practitioners, stressing that doing their job should never expose them to threats, intimidation or physical harm.
The attack has renewed debate over the safety of journalists reporting on sensitive community developments, and underscores the need to let the press cover public-interest events without interference.
Notably, the committee made no claims about the identities or motives of the alleged attackers. It called instead for a professional investigation to establish the facts and determine individual responsibility.
Signalling that it intends to pursue the matter through formal channels, the committee disclosed that it has handed facts and evidence on the incident to its legal team for advice and necessary action.
It urged security agencies to investigate the circumstances of the disruption, identify those responsible and ensure that anyone found culpable is dealt with according to law. It also appealed to the public to avoid spreading unverified information or taking the law into their own hands, stressing that justice must be sought through lawful processes.
Despite the setback, the association expressed profound gratitude to the people of Ganye, community stakeholders, well-meaning individuals and supporters who reached out to condemn the violence and stand in solidarity with it.
The committee said the outpouring of support had strengthened its resolve to pursue its mission and vision. It assured supporters that their confidence would not be taken for granted, and that the incident would not deter it from advocating accountability, good governance, peace and development.
The episode has put a spotlight on the need to protect peaceful civic engagement and settle community disagreements through dialogue and lawful institutions. For a community whose cohesion rests on mutual respect, the allegations present a serious test that demands a measured, transparent and lawful response.
The outcome of any investigation will be crucial in establishing what happened at Poksun Multi-Purpose Hall, identifying those responsible and ensuring justice without prejudice. All eyes are now on the authorities and the steps they take to establish the facts.
For the people of Ganye, the central question remains: can differences over community affairs be resolved peacefully, without endangering lives, personal safety or the freedom of journalists to work?
The GCCA’s message is clear: its commitment to community development is unshaken, but allegations of violence must be investigated, and those found responsible must face the full weight of the law.
