Following the controversial Billiri chieftaincy tussle in Gombe which has degenerated into loss of lives and properties, President Muhammadu Buhari has called on warring parties to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.

President Buhari on Sunday expressed his “great shock and deep concern” over the development, Voice of Nigeria reported.

The president in a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu, said, “I’m seriously disturbed by the outbreak of violence and call on the parties involved to exercise maximum restraint to avoid escalation.”

Mr. Buhari added, “The easy resort to violence is uncalled for because there are enough avenues to resolve differences amicably without threatening law and order.”

He noted further that “in a circle of violence, there are no winners, except losers.”

The president appealed to Christians and Muslims to shun violence, admitting that “Nigerians have shed enough blood over issues that could have been peacefully resolved.”

Mr. Buhari said, “I appeal to the two parties to sheathe their swords for the sake of peaceful coexistence. Gombe has enjoyed relative religious harmony for decades, and you shouldn’t allow hoodlums destroy this positive record.”

According to Vanguard on Saturday, violence erupted at Billiri due to disagreement over the selection of a replacement for the late Mai Tangle, Abdu Buba Maisharu, who passed on in January.

At least three people were killed.