Fire on the road to Faskari: vehicle burned near Radda's rally as police arrest 3, and three versions of what happened
For the second time in four days, a campaign trip in Katsina has ended in violence. A vehicle was burned and supporters were hurt in Yankara as Governor Dikko Radda headed to his Faskari rally. Police arrested three suspects; the state government says the clash was unrelated to the campaign.
What happened: on Saturday, 31 October, Governor Dikko Radda's convoy passed through Yankara town in Faskari LGA on its way to a Tinubu-Dikko 2027 rally. A road was blocked, objects were thrown, posters were set ablaze, a vehicle was burned and several supporters were injured.
The police account: spokesman DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu said “suspected political thugs” blocked the road, and the Faskari DPO dispersed the crowd. Three suspects were arrested: Garba Shu'aibu (25), Salmanu Ibrahim (18) and Nazifi Hussaini (30). Others are being sought.
Three versions: the state government says it was a dispute between a Maulud procession and security over routes, “entirely unrelated” to the campaign. The Musa Adamu Network, an APC support group, says hoodlums ambushed its members and burned its vehicle. A Yankara resident blamed APC thugs. None of these claims has been independently verified.
The toll: one report says one person was killed; another says a witness claimed two deaths that had not been verified. The police statement mentioned none. Votewise has not confirmed any deaths.
Four days earlier: in Malumfashi, APC supporters heading to the campaign flag-off in Funtua were attacked, and police arrested 14. Police Commissioner Ali Umar Fage warned that anyone culpable would be arrested and prosecuted.
The opposition: about 5,000 members of the Allied Peoples Movement joined the PDP to back its governorship candidate, Sen. Yakubu Lado Danmarke, Channels TV reports. Danmarke says insecurity is Katsina's biggest problem and that restoring security would be his first priority.
At the rally: Radda opened a new hospital in Faskari (“we promised not to forget the hospital in Faskari”), and state APC chairman Bishir Saulawa promised “peaceful, issue-based campaigns”.
Sources
- Leadership: Police arrest 3 over political thuggery in Katsina
- The Sun: APC supporters attacked, campaign vehicle set ablaze in Katsina
- Parrot Nigeria: One killed, many injured as APC supporters, others battle in Katsina
- Channels TV: APM members defect to PDP in Katsina, back Danmarke's governorship bid
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