PDP Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar visited Maiduguri for his presidential rally
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Armed thugs have attacked the convoy of the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar in Borno State.
It was gathered that the thugs carrying APC flags threw stones and other dangerous objects on the convoy of the PDP presidential candidate.
NATIONAL ACCORD reports that Atiku, who had earlier arrived in Maiduguri metropolis was received by PDP members and supporters from the Maiduguri International Airport before moving to the.palace of the Shehu of Borno, RH, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai Umar El-Kanemi, where he paid homage to the royal father.
An eye witness at the scene the of the clash, Aisami Kolo, told NATIONAL ACCORD correspondent that: “Immediately the convoy left the shehu’s place, the situation was very terrible and ugly as the presidential candidate convoy was attacked by armed youths suspected to be political thugs of some APC Candidate threw stones, woods at the convoy, to the extent of breaking some vehicles’ windscreens and glasses”.
Another eye witness , Yagana Modu, 32 years old woman said,” I saw with my naked eyes youths numbering about 50 with cutlasses and knives bearing stained faces loitering around the Dandal road and Premier Cinema side up to the Dandal Police Station”.
“These armed youths shocked me and created fear and tension in the area as the youths launched attacks on the PDP presidential candidate’s convoy, which we suspected are APC youths. The PDP youths also retaliated and became a scene of serious clash between the PDP and APC youths resulting in majority of the youths injured with knives and cutlasses as well as sticks,” Yagana said .
Below is a video of the attacked vehicles leaving the scene:
Meanwhile, the spokesman of the PDP Presidential Candidate, Senator Dino Malate who confirmed the attacks and casualties, alleged that over 10 vehicles windscreen and rear glasses were broken and about 74 youths were wounded and rushed to hospital for treatment.
Sen. Melaye further accused the Borno APC of hiring thugs to disrupt the PDP presidential campaign rally in the state.
He noted that about 200 vehicles carrying PDP supporters and members from Askira/Uba, Gwoza, Pulls, Banki, Bama and Konduga axis were stopped from entering Maiduguri for the rally.
Attack on Atiku’s convoy is false – Borno Police reacts
Meanwhile, The Borno Police Command has debunked the rumours making the rounds that some thugs belonging to the ruling APC had attacked the convoy of the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar in Maiduguri.
The command’s spokesman, ASP Sani Shatambaya, debunked the rumors while addressing newsmen on Wednesday at the command’s headquarters in Maiduguri.
ASP Shatambaya, however, said the command has arrested one the suspects, identified as Danladi Musa Abba for attempting to attack and disrupt the PDP Presidential Candidate convoy around Maidoki (House Man) axis of the metropolis.
He said the suspect is currently in the police net undergoing interrogation
He said the State Commissioner of Police, CP Abduu Umar is urging the people of the state to stop spreading rumors of the attack as the Police Command is on top gear on the situation to arrest other suspects alleged to be involved in the attacks of the convoy.
The police spokesman also said that police guided Atiku’s convoy to the Shehu’s palace successfully and rally venue where the Presidential rally was also conducted peacefully without any disruption.
He, further, noted that there was no report of any casualties or vehicles destroyed.
