By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
A female resident of Maiduguri, Fadila Abdulrahman, was on Sunday evening ‘brutalized’ by suspected hoodlums in Maiduguri which drew the attention of Govenro Babagana Zulum, who ordered for the arrest of the perpetrators and full investigation into the matter by the police
The thugs were said to have been armed with cutlass, sticks and other lethal weapons and further vandalized her business shop.
It was gathered that Fadila was assaulted in her shop at Shehu Sanda Kyarimi Park by the four thugs over a ‘scathing’ Facebook post she made against House of Representatives Member representing Jere Federal Constituency, Hon. Ahmed Satomi Grema.
Fadila was said to have expressed dissatisfaction with the leadership style of the federal lawmaker in his federal Constituency by criticizing his manner of handling electorates issues and attitude towards his constituents in Jere LGC of Borno State.
A leader of the four political thugs was alleged to have abused the Fadila, and threatening to assign assassins to kill her as he was ready to sacrifice his life for Hon. Ahmed Satomi should anyone verbally attack his ‘political master (Engr. Satomi).
“Be careful, otherwise, we will just waste you,” he said.
Eye witnesses at the scene of the incident, said that the attack was organized by one of the supporters of the federal lawmaker who is the manager of a recreational area within the zoo park where visitors gather to rest, relax and even hold mini receptions as well as other social gatherings located along Kashim Ibrahim Way Maiduguri, opposite BRTV.
According to sources, “The attack seems to have been planned and coordinated by the Manager of Sanda Kyarimi Recreational Park who is popularly known as A Don Best Abatcha.
“He invited Sa’adu Suleiman Nakande, another string supporter of Engr. Ahmed Satomi and other thugs to attack the girl at her shop around 5 pm.
“Don Best also ordered the thugs to destroy her restaurant, nearly a month after he gave her the space to operate.”, the source said
The gravity of the assault attracted motorists and riders as well as passers, which made many residents to call on the government, security agencies and Human rights activists to intervene and bring to book the perpetrators while condemning the degree of brutality and vandalization on the victim and her property.
Borno Lawmaker, Hon. Ahmed Satomi Reacts
In a swift reaction, the lawmaker representing Jere LGC federal Constituency, Hon Ahmed Satomi, has distanced himself from the assault on Fadila Abdulrahman by suspected political thugs.
In a statement he issued on Monday, the lawmaker said: “I, Hon Ahmed Satomi, Member House of Representative ( Jere Federal Constituency of Borno State) regret that my attention has been drawn to an incidence that happened with Ms. Fadila Abdulrahman on Monday, January 23, 2022, at Shehu Sanda Kyarimi park in Maiduguri”.
“I am deeply saddened by the occurrence of such incidence and especially to a woman, but more worrisome that this was perpetrated under my name. I want to make it very clear that I am not a supporter of violence on any individual and I have zero tolerance to Gender Based Violence in whatever form”.
“I am categorically exonerating my humble self from this act and any of such that may occur in the future, it is on records that I am a staunch lover and supporter of economic self reliance and development, and that has a history even before I became a lawmaker representing the good people of Jere Federal Constituency, this fact has not changed and I am still on a drive to supporting the vulnerable and motivating many young people looking up to me as a role model”.
“I want to use this medium to assure the general public that since I received this news, I have alerted the relevant security agencies to carry out full investigation and bring the perpetrators of this to book and justice for Fadila will be served as appropriate”.
“I would want to reiterate the fact that I am and would never be a harbour to criminals and their acts, I do not support ECOMOGS as widely stipulated and I am in support of Governor Babagana Umara Zulums policy on banning of all thuggery activities across Borno state and will ensure that together we achieve zero tolerance to any form of violence across our dear state.
“On a final note, I sympathise with Ms. Fadila on the unfortunate incidence, and urge the general public to be calm while we find justice for Fadila. Be rest assured of my commitment to justice and betterment of the lives of the good people of Jere, Borno and by extension Nigerians as a whole”, he said.
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