Political clash leaves two dead in Bauchi!!

A bloody clash between supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Katanga, Warji, headquarters of the Warji Local Government Area of Bauchi State has left two people dead and several others injured.

No fewer than 20 buildings including shops a market, five cars as well as a number of motorcycles were burnt down. Though the properties of members of the two political parties were destroyed, the ACN claims its members suffered more from the destruction. The two people killed were believed to be supporters of the candidates of the ruling PDP. They were allegedly shot during exchange of gunshots between the supporters of the parties.

When NEXT visited the town, a detachment of anti-riot Mobile Policemen were seen patrolling to maintain peace and to curtail the spread of the violence to other places.

Those injured in the clash are receiving treatment at the General Hospital at Ningi, while the bodies of those killed were deposited at the hospital mortuary.

The chairman of the ACN in the council, Suleiman Garba, alleged that it was members of the ruling PDP that attacked his men and burnt down structures belonging to them, particularly those belonging to the candidate for the House of Representatives for Ningi/Warji Federal Constituency, Uba Nana.

Blame game

Mr Suleiman who was still confused about the incident that left houses and cars of his members burnt to ashes said that the PDP supporters who accompanied the Bauchi Central Senatorial District candidate, Ahmed Abdul Ningi, attacked the ACN supporters. He said the ACN supporters were forced to retaliate. "They really surprised us as we were not in any way aware that they will attack us the way they did," said Mr Garba.

But the Chairman of Warji council, Abdulrazak Nuhu Zaki, who is contesting for member of the House of Representatives under the PDP, to represent Ningi/Warji Federal Constituency denied the shooting of anyone during the clash but confirmed that houses belonging to both parties were burnt down by the supporters. He claimed that his party was left with no other option than to retaliate.

Mr Zaki debunked allegations of shooting of any ACN supporters saying, "I have never held a gun in my life before let alone shooting it. I only see it in the hands of security agents. It is totally untrue." He added, "As the Chairman and chief security officer of the local government, it is my responsibility to promote peace and maintain law and order among all the people of the area. How then will I use gun to shoot at people I expected to protect? It is lies." Mr Zaki said he will do everything possible to ensure that the general elections are conducted peacefully in the area. "It is our aim to see that no life was lost before, during and after the elections, we can now talk of who won and who lost." The Police Commissioner, Bauchi Command, Abdulkadir Indabwa confirmed the clash adding that the state has witnessed several political violence.