From Mustapha Adamu, Kano
The just concluded presidential and National Assembly Election has come and gone in the country, leaving in its trail some sad memories.
Although it was relatively a peaceful exercise, with little pockets of violence at some spots across the country, some families in Kano state will never forget the 2023 presidential elections.
It was an attack, which was confirmed by the Kano State Police Command, on the campaign office of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Tudunwada Local Government area, a day after the election.
In a statement on Monday by spokesman of the command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the police stated that the incident occured on Sunday at about 4pm when collation of results was ongoing at INEC office in Tudunwada Local Government area.
He narrated that the thugs in large number, mobilized and attacked the campaign office by setting it ablaze.
According to SP Kiyawa, two unknown persons in a stationary motor vehicle inside the building burnt to death as a result of the inferno.
He added that the hoodlums again mobilized and attempted to block the road leading to the INEC office, but were dispersed by security personnel, who were immediately mobilised to the scene.
One of the thugs, according to Mr Kiyawa, was fatally injured and was rushed to hospital where he died while receiving treatment.
“At about 1600hrs, reports were received that, while the collation of results was ongoing at Tudun Wada LGA INEC Office, a group of thugs in large numbers mobilized and attacked the Campaign Office of NNPP House of Representatives Candidate and sets the building ablaze with two unknown persons in a stationary Motor Vehicle inside the building burnt to death as a result of the inferno.
“The hoodlums again mobilize and attempted to block the road leading to the INEC Office. Security personnel were immediately mobilised to the scene. One of the thugs was fatally injured and was rushed to Hospital where he died while receiving treatment.
“Four other suspected thugs were arrested, as well. An Investigation is in progress,” the statement reads in parts.
This attack, according to the Police, led to the arrest of Alhassan Ado Doguwa, the Majority Leader, House of Representatives and member-elect, Doguwa/Tudunwada Federal Constituency.
He was arrested at Mallam Aminu Kano Airport on the suspicion that he orchestrated the attack on the NNPP campaign office that led to the burning of two persons to death and injuring many.
Doguwa had since been arraigned and remanded at Goron Dutse Correctional Centre after being charged for culpable homicide, conspiracy, mischief, unlawful possession of fire arms and inciting disturbance.
Meanwhile, Peoples Daily also gathered that before the gruesome attack on Tudunwada Local Government, the independent National Electoral Commission office in Takai Local Government Area of Kano State was reportedly gutted by fire.
It was gathered that the incident happened at around 09:30 am on Sunday when some unidentified persons started beating people which forced election observers, journalists and INEC officials to scamper for safety and hide in the ceiling but the thugs set the office on fire.
One of the victims and a journalist from the area, Sale Nasko, said the suspects were believed to be followers of one of the political parties.
The victim who is currently hospitalised with various degrees of injuries said the suspected attackers namely Garba Gambo, Shehu Na-marka, and Abdullahi Dan-jalingo were arrested and an unidentified one was at large.
The attack comes as the collation officer of the local government was waiting for the arrival of the last two wards (Takai and Kachako) before announcing the official results of yesterday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.
He said they were rescued by men of the military.
“We have learned that the attack doesn’t affect the election results,” said the victim.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Kano, SP Abdullahi Haruna confirmed the incident.
He said the fire was set up at the generator house behind the office building but it was put off immediately.
“It was from the generator house that they put out the fire. It was hurriedly brought under control and security operatives have been intensified in the area,” he said.
However, the Senator-elect of Kano South Senatorial District, Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila at a press conference in Kano on Sunday, alleged that the fire incident was set up by thugs, sponsored by APC.
He said there was plan to also attack the INEC collation centre in Rano Local Government area, calling on security agents to quickly foil the attack.
The collation centre was however not attacked and the state is now peaceful even after the announcement of the winner of presidential election.
