Attackers kill four NNPP supporters in run up to election
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Four supporters of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso were on Thursday killed by thugs on the Kano-Zaria Road.
An eyewitness said the supporters were en route Kwana Dangora, which is about 110 kilometres from Kano south to receive Kwankwaso when they ran into an ambush.
Four people lost their lives, six vehicles were burnt in the clash that ensued, and security agents arrested 63 thugs armed with dangerous weapons.
“We have arrested about 63 suspected thugs who were disrupting public peace, wielding dangerous weapons, burning vehicles and snatching handsets from passers-by,” Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Public Relations Officer in Kano, Ibrahim Abdullahi, confirmed to The PUNCH.
A statement issued by the NSCDC in Kano said the arrested thugs “will be investigated and arraigned in court for prosecution.”
Before the violence, the Kano Police Command had summoned and advised political party leaders in the state to suspend all rallies on Thursday to avoid clashes, but the entreaties were not heeded.
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Thugs attack NNPP supporters in Kano, destroy vehicles
Also on Thursday, another group of thugs attacked the supporters and vehicles of the NNPP on Na’ibawa-Zaria Road in Kano, 24 hours after political parties signed the latest peace accord in Abuja with fanfare.
The supporters were attacked on their way to Kwanar Dangora to receive Kwankwaso.
An eyewitness, Tasiu Lawal, told Daily Trust “I narrowly escaped. Alhamdulillah. We were told that they (the thugs) were there waiting for us, so, we waited at Na’ibawa and made sure we were many before proceeding.
“Unknowingly, they came from all angles and attacked us. They started attacking us, including women, with machetes.”
Security agents, including soldiers, police, and Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NSDC) personnel were deployed to the scene.