The Kaduna State Police Command has suspended all “unauthorised political gatherings” across the state following violence that broke out at a meeting of opposition politicians attended by former governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on Saturday.
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Spokesman for the command, Mansir Hassan, in a statement, said the action was necessary to forestall further breakdown of law and order after thugs attacked and injured participants at the meeting.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the gathering was convened without notifying security agencies.
Hassan alleged that political thugs attached to the former governor fired gunshots during the clash.
“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 disruption of public order and peace in the state.
“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,” Hassan added.
The police also disclosed that the ADC leadership had denied knowledge of the said meeting and distanced itself from organisers allegedly linked to El-Rufai.
Our correspondent gathered that the violence broke out at the official inauguration of a transition committee set up by opposition parties in the state.
Suspected thugs armed with cutlasses, clubs, and stones stormed the venue, attacking participants and vandalising vehicles.
Despite the mayhem, the event continued in a tense atmosphere, with policemen at the scene accused of failing to act.
El-Rufai, who was present, condemned the attack, describing it as a “dangerous descent into lawlessness.”
He accused senior police officers, including an assistant commissioner of police, of standing by while the thugs wreaked havoc.
“The police were complicit. The assistant commissioner of police was there watching while people were being attacked and vehicles vandalised. He even removed his name tag, which is against police regulations. We will escalate this matter to the highest authorities,” the former governor said.
The incident came amid a crisis in the Kaduna chapter of the ADC, where some members under the aegis of “Concerned ADC Members, Coalition Partners and Stakeholders” accused El-Rufai of hijacking the party and sidelining the duly elected state executive.
Led by Hon. Adamu Dattijo, the group warned that El-Rufai’s style of politics was creating deep divisions that could destroy the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections.
“We urgently call on our national leaders to protect the unity of the ADC in Kaduna by ensuring that all activities in the state are carried out through the legitimate party structures,” Dattijo said.
The Kaduna APC secretary, Alhaji Yahaya Baba-Pate, however, denied sponsoring thugs, insisting the ruling party had no hand in the violence.
Meanwhile, the police maintained that investigations were ongoing and vowed to prosecute anyone found culpable, no matter how highly placed.
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