Billiri

Billiri (or Biliri) is one of the 11 Local Government Area of Gombe State, Nigeria bordered to the north by Akko LGA, south and east by Shongom as well as North-East by Kaltungo LGAs. It is a historical settlement of the Tangales which is located South of Gombe[1] It has an area of 737 km2 and a population of 202,144 at the 2006 census. Apart from Tangale language, Fulfulde and Hausa are commonly spoken[1] The postal code of the area is 771.[2]

Billiri
LGA and town
Billiri is located in Nigeria
Billiri
Billiri
Location in Nigeria
Coordinates: 9°50′N 11°09′E
Country Nigeria
StateGombe State
HeadquartersBilliri Town
Government
 • Local Government Chairman and the Head of the Local Government CouncilMargaret Bitrus
Area
 • Total737 km2 (285 sq mi)
Population
 (2006 census)
 • Total252,544
Time zoneUTC+1 (WAT)
3-digit postal code prefix
771
ISO 3166 codeNG.GO.BI

Most of the inhabitants of Billiri are Christians while Muslims formed the largest minority.[3][1] The dominant tribe is Tangale which means "Tangle".

The traditional ruler of the LGA is called the "Mai Tangale".[4] The death of the Mai Tangale in 2020 brought about communal unrest in the Biliri community due to the delay in reinstating a new Mai Tangale.[3][5]

History

The Tangale people claimed to have emerged as the settlers of Billiri from a migration journey through Borno State.They had to move from places such as Sanum kede and Kupto due to tribal wars. Tangaltong, one of the 7 clans in Tangale is where billiri as well as Bare and Kantali resided.[6] The Tangale language is a west chadic language.

Mai Tangale

The traditional ruler of the Tangale Tribe is addressed as Mai Tangale.[7] Following the death of the former King, Mallam Danladi Maiyamba was elected as the new Mai Tangale in 2020.[8]

The Billiri Crisis

In March 2021, Danladi Sanusi-Maiyamba was announced by the Gombe State government as the new Mai Tangale in Billiri following the death of Abdu Baba Maisharu II, the immediate past Mai of Tangale Kingdom who died in January 2021. The announcement erupted violence and protests in Billiri over the claim that Inuwa Yahaya, governor of the state, did not go with the candidate selected by the kingmakers. The erupted concerns and protests led to violence that claimed lives and properties.

[9][1][10]

Towns & Villages

The towns and villages in Billiri include:[11]

  1. Billiri-tangale
  2. Ayabu
  3. Baganje
  4. Bare
  5. Billiri
  6. Kalmai
  7. Kulkul
  8. Labepit
  9. Lakalkal
  10. Lamugu
  11. Landongu
  12. Pokuli
  13. Lanshi daji
  14. Popandi
  15. Sabon layi
  16. Sansani
  17. Pandiukude
  18. Pandi kamio
  19. Pokwangli
  20. Shelu
  21. Sikirit
  22. Tal
  23. Tanglang
  24. Todi
  25. Tudu kwaya[12]

Wards/Polling units

There are 10 wards in Billiri local government and they are:[13][14]

  1. Bangaje North

2. Bangaje South

3. Bare

4. Billiri North

5. Billiri South

6. Kalmai

7. Todi

8. Tudu Kwaya

9. Tal

10. Tanglang

Schools

They include:

Central Primary School

Government Day Secondary School Amtawlam

Federal Government College Billiri (FGC) [15]

Government Sciences Secondary School Billiri[16]

Food

Soya beans is one of the common foods in Billiri with about six prominent markets according to a study[17]

Festivals

Bai "Dog meat" Eating festival[18]

References
  1. "SPECIAL REPORT: The true story of fatal religious crisis in Billiri, a peaceful Gombe community". 11 December 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  2. "Post Offices- with map of LGA". NIPOST. Archived from the original on 7 October 2009. Retrieved 20 October 2009.
  3. "Mai Tangale: How selection of traditional ruler shattered peace in Gombe community". Punch Newspapers. 28 February 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  4. Yaya, Haruna Gimba (3 March 2021). "11 Things to know about Sanusi Maiyamba, the new Mai Tangale". Daily Trust. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  5. "Billiri crisis: Gombe govt compensates 554 victims with N591m". Tribune Online. 27 September 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  6. "Tangale History". kalkwi.tripod.com. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  7. Yaya, Haruna Gimba (3 March 2021). "11 Things to know about Sanusi Maiyamba, the new Mai Tangale". Daily Trust. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  8. "Gombe gov appoints Maiyamba as Mai Tangale". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  9. "Gombe inaugurates 10-member committee to probe Billiri crisis". 19 April 2021.
  10. "Curbing the rising trends of inter-communal clashes in Gombe State". Daily Trust. 2 May 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  11. places (1 January 1970). "Towns & Villages in Billiri « Gombe State « Nigeria". Towns & Villages. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  12. "Billiri, Gombe State | Nigeria Directory, A List of Nigerian Businesses, Organisations, Firms and Companies | Nigeria Yellow Pages". www.directory.org.ng. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  13. "Wards in Billiri Local Government Area". www.manpower.com.ng. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  14. Nigeria, Media (24 April 2018). "Billiri L.G.A Polling Units/Wards". Media Nigeria. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  15. "Federal Government College, Billiri, Gombe". Hotels.ng Places. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  16. "Secondary Schools in Billiri, Gombe State". www.manpower.com.ng. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  17. administrator. "ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF SOYBEANS MARKETING IN BILLIRI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA". managementjournal.usamv.ro. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  18. Webmaster (9 January 2010). "Gombe: Discovering treasures of Pissi Tangale". Daily Trust. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
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