Billiri (or Biliri) is one of the 11 Local Government AreasofGombe State, Nigeria bordered to the north by Akko Local Government Area, south and east by Shongom as well as North-East by Kaltungo Local Government Area. 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]
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 Local Government Area 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]
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.
The traditional ruler of the Tangale Tribe is addressed as Mai Tangale.[4] Following the death of the former King, Mallam Danladi Maiyamba was elected as the new Mai Tangale in the year 2021.[7]
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 Buba 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 Mohammad Inuwa Yahaya , the 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.
Biliri market is recognized for the selling of agricultural products like cowpea. The Biliri market is primarily regarded as an agriculture market.[18]
With an average daily high temperature of 95 °F, the hot season lasts for 2.3 months, from 11 February to 21 April. With an average high of 95 °F and low of 73 °F, April is the hottest month of the year in Billiri.[19]
From 2 July to 14 October, the cool season, which has an average daily high temperature below 84 °F, lasts for 3.4 months. With an average low of 57 °F and a high of 88 °F, December is the coldest month of the year in Billiri.[19]
Nigeria
