- Safiu Kehinde
The Kaduna State Police Command has heaped blames on the former governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai, over hoodlums’ attack on attendees of the political meeting organised by him.
NPO earlier Reported that the suspected armed political thugs had on Saturday stormed the venue of the meeting, shooting sporadically in the air while attacking attendees of the meeting.
Several individuals were visibly injured in the attack despite presence of police officers at the event.
NPO Reports gathered that event allegedly organised by El-Rufai was a transition meeting of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) held at Conference Hall of NUT Endwell in Magadishu, Kaduna.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, the State Police Command held that the organisers of the gathering defied repeated warnings from the Command and went ahead with the meeting.
According to Mansir, preliminary investigations revealed that the political thugs who carried out the mayhem are attached to El-Rufai.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the gathering led to a clash, during which thugs and political gangsters attached to the former Governor allegedly fired gunshots, causing chaos and disruption of public order and peace in the state,” he said.
The Police spokesperson disclosed that it had approached the ADC leadership to clarify the issue.
He claimed that the party officials denied knowledge of such a meeting and distanced themselves from any gathering allegedly linked to El-Rufai.
Mansir however noted that the command would not spare anyone found culpable of the attack regardless how highly placed they are.
“The Command wishes to state categorically that the investigation is ongoing, and anyone found culpable, irrespective of his personality and no matter how highly placed, if he acted contrary to the law, will face the full weight of the law.
“The police command further launched an inquiry from the ADC party secretariat to keep the records straight.
“According to the party officials, they denied knowing of any meetings and refuted the claim of the organisers. The ADC leadership reaffirmed their commitment to the rule of law and distanced themselves from the claims of the former Governor,” the spokesman said.
He also warned that hotels, event centres and similar facilities would henceforth be held liable if they host political gatherings without first notifying security agencies.
“Any hotel, event centre, or similar facility that permits political meetings or gatherings without prior notification to the Police or other relevant security agencies will equally be held liable.
“This measure is to ensure due process is followed and to prevent thugs or miscreants from hijacking such gatherings to cause mayhem or breakdown of law and order,” he added.
The Police spokesperson also announced the Command’s suspension of all unauthorised political gatherings across the state until due process and proper security arrangements were ensured, noting that the move was in the overall interest of peace and public safety.
“In the interest of peace and public safety, the Command further announces that all such unauthorised gatherings are to be suspended until due process and proper security arrangements are ensured,” Mansir added.