Tension has engulfed Mai Gwado community in Jushi Ward, Sabon-Gari LGA of Kaduna State, following a violent outbreak that occurred during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Kaduna State House of Assembly seat.
According to reports from the area, the unrest began shortly after the conclusion of vote counting in Jushi, when suspected political thugs allegedly launched coordinated attacks on residents and disrupted activities within the community.
In an open letter circulated by a resident, some politicians were accused of sponsoring youths to foment violence in the area. The disturbance reportedly resulted in widespread destruction of property, including shops, tricycles (Keke-NAPEP), and vehicles. One shop owner told newsmen that cash, amounting to ₦70,000, was stolen from his shop during the chaos.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the attackers assaulted residents with machetes and other dangerous weapons, pursuing some victims into their homes and creating panic among women, children, and elderly members of the community.
Residents accused personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and operatives of KADVIS of allegedly providing cover for the attackers during the incident. According to them, some security operatives were seen alongside the suspected hoodlums, while others were allegedly firing shots at the scene.
The father of the deceased told newsmen that his son had no involvement in politics or the electoral process. “My son was neither a participant in the election nor involved in politics. He merely stepped out to visit a shop when he was shot by security operatives”, he said.
Sources confirmed that gunshots were fired during the violence, leading to the death of a young man identified as Ameer Yusuf, while at least five others sustained injuries. Reports further indicated that the injured persons were not connected to the political dispute.
The deceased has since been laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites.
Other eyewitnesses similarly alleged that police officers were present alongside the hoodlums, while residents were being assaulted and properties vandalised. Security personnel were also accused of firing indiscriminately in an attempt to disperse the crowd.
The APC primary election for the Kaduna State House of Assembly seat was conducted on Wednesday between Hon. Nasir Idi Kano and Hon. Bashir Ishaq Zango.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident despite repeated attempts to obtain comments from the authorities.
