Tension In Jigawa! Police Accused Of Targeting APC Loyalists With Teargas During Official Function

The Jigawa State Police Command is facing severe backlash for dispersing All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters who had gathered for a government event in Gagarawa Local Government Area on Sunday.

The event, the fifth edition of the Government and Citizens Engagement Programme, was organized by the state government to encourage public participation in policy-making and promote people-centred governance.

According to reports, the incident took place when APC supporters, including federal lawmaker Nazifi Gumel and other party loyalists, arrived at the venue where Governor Umar Namadi, a member of the APC, was already seated. Eyewitnesses said the police used tear gas at the entrance gate to disperse the crowd, which many found unnecessary and distressing.

The police’s actions have ignited outrage among APC supporters, with several questioning why they were invited to the event if their presence was unwelcome. Some supporters voiced their frustrations to Punch, with Sani Adamu, a prominent APC member, stating, “We were officially invited to the event, but we were denied access to the venue.”

A tearful APC supporter, Aminu Suleiman, who was affected by the tear gas, lamented, “If you don’t want our presence, then why invite us?” Others expressed confusion, stating they had come to the event in response to the government’s invitation, not realizing their attendance was not desired. “We didn’t know that our presence was not needed. We were just following the government’s call,” said Lawan Muhammad.

One supporter, Uwar Malam, was seen bleeding and crying for help. In a heart-wrenching outburst, she said, “This is unacceptable. We came just to show our governor love.” Another supporter, Abba Isa, expressed his disappointment, calling the police’s actions uncalled for. “The police should have allowed us to enter the venue. We weren’t causing any trouble,” he said.

In response to the incident, the aggrieved APC supporters are demanding an explanation from the authorities and an apology from the police. They have also called for assurances that such an incident will not occur again, voicing concerns over the treatment of citizens at public events.