…Police launch probe into the shooting
Chaos broke out on Saturday at the inauguration of a transition committee formed by opposition parties in Kaduna state.
The event, held in Kaduna city, was disrupted when suspected thugs invaded the venue, attacking participants and damaging property.
The hoodlums, armed with cutlasses, clubs and stones, were said to have attacked, leaving several people injured and vehicles destroyed.
The committee had brought together members of an All Progressives Congress (APC) faction opposed to the state leadership, alongside the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Despite the violence, the inauguration went ahead under tense conditions.
Attendees accused the police of failing to act as the violence unfolded, alleging complicity on the part of the officers deployed to the venue.
According to report, Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, who was present at the event, described the attack as “a dangerous descent into lawlessness.”
He alleged that senior police officers, including an assistant commissioner, stood by and watched as the violence took place.
“If the authorities don’t end the introduction of thuggery into Kaduna politics, God help us. Nobody has a monopoly on violence or thugs,” el-Rufai was quoted as saying.
“We will take decisive steps to ensure this does not repeat itself.”
He vowed to escalate the matter to the Police Service Commission (PSC), accusing the police of breaching their duty by failing to intervene.
Jafaru Sani, ADC national vice-chairman (north-west), condemned the violence, describing it as “sad and unfortunate.”
He said Kaduna’s history of political violence was being replayed, adding that opposition parties will not be cowed into silence.
“We will never be intimidated or forced to retreat. We will continue to pursue our political activities with all the energy and commitment we have,” Sani said.
Reacting to the incident, Yahaya Baba-Pate, APC secretary in Kaduna, denied any involvement of the ruling party.
“The ADC and other opposition groups are free to carry out their activities without harassment,” Baba-Pate said.
Police launch probe into shooting the shooting
Meanwhile, the Kaduna police command says it has launched a thorough investigation into alleged political violence linked to a gathering reportedly organised by Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of the state.
In a statement, Mansir Hassan, spokesperson of the command, said the incident occurred after a political gathering organised by the ADC coalition “without prior notification” to the police and other security agencies, despite “repeated warnings.”
He said preliminary findings show the gathering led to clashes during which suspected thugs allegedly attached to the former governor fired gunshots, causing chaos and disrupting public order.
Hassan added that the police launched an inquiry at the ADC party secretariat, and the party leadership denied knowledge of any meeting, reaffirming their commitment to the rule of law and distancing themselves from claims linked to the former governor.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the gathering led to a clash, during which thugs and political gangsters attached to the former governor allegedly fired gunshots, causing chaos and disrupting public order and peace in the state,” the statement reads.
Hassan said the command would not spare anyone found culpable, no matter how highly placed, warning that nobody was above the law.
“The command wishes to state categorically that the investigation is ongoing, and anyone found culpable, irrespective of their status and no matter how highly placed, if they acted contrary to the law, will face the full weight of the law,” he said.
“Furthermore, the command strongly warns that any hotel, event centre, or similar facility that permits political meetings or gatherings without prior notification to the police or other relevant security agencies will equally be held liable.
“This measure is to ensure due process is followed and to prevent thugs or miscreants from hijacking such gatherings to cause mayhem or a breakdown of law and order.
“In the interest of peace and public safety, the command further announces that all such unauthorised gatherings are to be suspended until due process and proper security arrangements are ensured.”
