…Police suspend political gatherings
The Kaduna State Police Command and former governor Nasir El-Rufai have traded blame following a violent political clash in the state.
The violence broke out on Saturday at a meeting of opposition politicians which was attended by El-Rufai. Suspected thugs, armed with cutlasses, clubs, and stones, stormed the venue, attacking people and vandalising vehicles.
In response, the police announced a suspension of all unauthorised political gatherings. A spokesman for the command, Mansir Hassan, said the action was necessary to prevent a further breakdown of law and order.
The police alleged that the gathering was held without notifying security agencies. Their preliminary findings claimed that “thugs and political gangsters attached to the former governor allegedly fired gunshots, causing chaos.”
However, Nasir El-Rufai condemned the attack and accused the police of being complicit. He claimed that senior officers, including an assistant commissioner of police, stood by and watched the violence happen.
“The police were complicit,” El-Rufai said. “The assistant police commissioner 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 police also stated that the national leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) had denied knowledge of the meeting and distanced itself from its organisers.
The incident is linked to an internal crisis within the Kaduna ADC, where some members have accused El-Rufai of hijacking the party and sidelining its proper leadership.
Meanwhile, the police have said that investigations are ongoing and promised to prosecute anyone found culpable.
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