Tragedy struck Mai Gwado community in Jushi Ward of Sabon Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna State, after violence erupted during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Kaduna State House of Assembly seat, leaving one person dead and at least five others injured.
The violence reportedly broke out shortly after the conclusion of vote counting in Jushi, when suspected political thugs allegedly stormed the community, attacking residents and disrupting activities.
Residents accused some politicians of sponsoring youths to unleash mayhem following disagreements linked to the outcome of the primary election.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers moved through the community armed with machetes and other dangerous weapons, vandalising shops, vehicles and tricycles popularly known as Keke NAPEP, while frightened residents fled for safety.
One shop owner alleged that hoodlums invaded his shop during the chaos and carted away ₦70,000 cash.
“They stormed my shop during the confusion and took all the money I had made for the day,” the victim said.
Residents further alleged that the attackers assaulted people indiscriminately and chased some victims into their homes, forcing women, children and elderly residents to run for cover.
Sources in the area disclosed that gunshots were also fired during the violence, resulting in the death of a young man identified as Ameer Yusuf, while at least five others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
According to residents, most of the victims were not directly involved in the political contest.
The deceased was later buried according to Islamic rites.
Some residents also accused operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and KADVIS personnel of allegedly supporting the attackers during the unrest.
Witnesses claimed that some security operatives were seen alongside suspected hoodlums, while others allegedly fired shots in the community while attempting to disperse the crowd.
The father of the deceased insisted that his son had no political affiliation and was not involved in the election process.
“My son was neither participating in the election nor involved in politics. He only stepped out to go to a shop when he was shot by security operatives,” he alleged.
A brother of the deceased also claimed that the victim was shot while they were trying to avoid the disturbance on their way to work.
“As we were walking, we suddenly saw people running. A man dressed in white clothing, not in police uniform, fired the shot. He was with some vigilantes. After shooting, he handed the gun to one of them and disappeared into the crowd,” he claimed.
Other residents accused security operatives of standing by while hoodlums attacked residents and destroyed properties, alleging further that shots were fired indiscriminately during efforts to disperse the crowd.
Mai Gwado community, widely regarded as one of the peaceful communities in Sabon Gari Local Government Area, has since been thrown into fear and tension following the incident.
The APC primary election was contested between Nasir Idi Kano and Bashir Ishaq Zango.
