A convoy belonging to former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, was attacked by suspected political thugs in Birnin Kebbi on Monday, resulting in 10 vehicles being vandalised and several supporters injured.
The incident occurred shortly after Malami, who is now a leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State, returned to the area on a condolence visit. Witnesses reported that the armed assailants emerged from the state headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), armed with weapons and stones, to carry out the assault.
Malami confirmed the attack was politically motivated, telling journalists: “I was in Birnin Kebbi solely to pay condolences to families who lost their loved ones while I was away, not for political campaigns.” He added: “It’s painful and unfortunate. Some thugs emerged from the APC state headquarters, armed with weapons and stones, and attacked our convoy, destroying vehicles and injuring our supporters. When it comes to politics in Kebbi State, there is no retreat, no surrender.”
However, the APC in Kebbi denied any involvement. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Isa Assalafy, condemned the violence and described Kebbi as a peaceful state. “No government that enjoys the massive support of the people and is confident of victory in 2027 would want the peace of the state disrupted,” he said. He also alleged that armed security personnel attached to Malami’s convoy had fired shots during the clash, escalating the situation.
Police authorities in Kebbi had yet to issue an official statement on the matter as of the time of filing this report.
In a related political development, the ADC-led coalition in neighbouring Sokoto State received a major boost as hundreds of APC supporters under the Soja Mobilisation Forum defected to the opposition bloc.
The Forum’s Chairman, Alhaji Sani Abdullahi, stated: “The APC has brought nothing to Nigerians except suffering and despair. Our people deserve a party and a coalition that truly represent their hopes and aspirations, and that is why we are identifying with the ADC.”
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