By Abdullai Mohammed
Bauchi
Political thugs believed to be loyal to a faction of the All Progressive Congress (APC) at the weekend burnt down the secretariat of Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Eyewitness said that the thugs stormed the secretariat at about 6pm on Saturday and set it on fire aftermath of the ward congresses of the party held in the area.
He further revealed that results of the congresses in some wards of the local government area did not go down well with a faction of the APC in the area and so directed the supporters to ensure that ‘justice’ was done.
According to him, the thugs stormed the secretariat, chanting the name of a particular politician from the area, who is believed not satisfied with the conduct and outcome of the ward congresses.
It was gathered that the candidates sponsored by the said politician lost in all the wards of the local government, alleging that the exercise was not free and fair as people were denied the chance to freely choose their leaders.
When contacted, the Public Relation Officer of the Bauchi State Police Command, DSP Kamal Datti Abubakar, confirmed the incident on telephone interview.
He said that so far one suspect had been arrested by the Police in connection with the incidence, assuring that efforts were ongoing to arrest all those who took part in the criminal act.
Datti Abubakar however said that the Command could not as at the time of filing this report confirm the sponsors of the criminal act but said that it would not be unconnected with the conduct of the ward congresses held across the state.
He assured that the Command was ready to deal with any act of criminality, pointing out that all those fingered in the arson will be apprehended and prosecuted according to the laws of the land immediately investigations were completed.
All efforts to get the state leadership of the APC to react to the incident failed as the phone of the state chairman was switched off.