Zamfara’s Acting Governor’s Convoy Attacked By Angry Youths

The Acting
Governor of
Zamfara State, Alhaji Sanusi Garba Rikiji, yesterday, narrowly escaped being
lynched by some aggrieved youths of Birnin Magaji town of the state, with
police and soldiers having to fire repeatedly into the air to disperse the angry
mob.
The incident happened barely five days after the celebration of Sallah when
Rikiji visited the area following the killing of three people during an encounter
with a group of suspected armed robbers.
Hundreds of youth hurled stones and used sticks on the convoy, accusing
the state government of failing to provide security in the area. The attack
occurred in Birnin-magajiin, headquarters of Birnin-magaji Local
Government Area of the state, witnesses say.
Rikiji who is also the Speaker of the State House of Assembly arrived the area
with some top government functionaries, including the state Commissioner
of Police.
However, after his arrival, some of the aggrieved natives started shouting at
the acting governor, calling him names, even as others started throwing
stones at him and other members of his entourage, and in the process,
damaging some of their vehicles.
There were no reported fatalities or injuries, Police said, adding that
investigation had begun into the attack.
One eyewitness told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the angry youths
took the decision in response to what they described as the poor security
provision in the state, among other grievances.
The Police Command in Zamfara said it was probing the “unfortunate”
attack.
Police Spokesperson for Zamfara state, Lawal Abdullahi, said that the police
would not fold its arms and allow such unbecoming behaviour by the
youths.
He said the police had deployed troop of mobile and regular police to
maintain peace in the area and warned that those found guilty will face the
law.