Ashiru Accuses Security Operatives Of Attacking Kaduna ADC Members

The 2027 governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State, Mohammed Ashiru, has accused security operatives of attacking the party’s members during a political rally in Kaduna on Wednesday.

Ashiru condemned the reported attack on the party’s members and supporters.

In a statement issued by Ashiru’s spokesperson, Abdulwaheed Olayinka Adubi, yesterday, it was reported that some ADC members were attacked on Wednesday during a rally organised by the Arise & Shine Isa Ashiru Support Group to mark the flag-off of the gubernatorial and House of Assembly campaigns.

The statement alleged that the peaceful rally was disrupted by members of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVIS), who allegedly harassed and intimidated participants.

“It was further reported that some members had their phones and other valuables taken from them during the incident. It was also brought to the attention of the ADC candidate that two female members of the party sustained injuries and were subsequently rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment following the alleged attack,” he said.

Ashiru expressed concern that KADVIS, as a state-supported security outfit, is expected to provide security and maintain order during public gatherings, particularly political activities conducted within the framework of the law.

He noted that the organisers had reportedly obtained the necessary permits from the relevant law enforcement authorities before proceeding with the rally.

He described the reported incident as unacceptable and a dangerous development that must not be allowed to undermine peace, democratic participation and the fundamental rights of citizens in Kaduna State.

Ashiru stressed that political differences must never be allowed to degenerate into violence, intimidation or attacks against citizens exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of association and political participation.

He called on KADVIS and all security agencies operating in the state to remain professional, impartial and politically neutral.

Ashiru said every citizen has the right to participate freely in political activities without fear of harassment, intimidation or physical attack.

“We strongly condemn the reported attack on our members. Democracy cannot thrive where citizens are prevented from freely expressing their political choices through violence or intimidation.

“Political competition is not a war. We may belong to different political parties and hold divergent views, but we remain citizens of the same Kaduna State and must learn to resolve our differences through dialogue, persuasion and the ballot box.

“Those who believe in democracy must reject political violence in all its forms. No political disagreement should be an excuse for attacking citizens or depriving them of their property.”

Ashiru urged relevant security authorities to conduct a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into the incident and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice, irrespective of political affiliation, position or status.

He also pleaded with ADC members and supporters across the state to remain calm, law-abiding and peaceful, assuring them that the party would continue to pursue its political objectives through legitimate and democratic means.

The ADC governorship candidate further appealed to political leaders, party supporters, and other stakeholders to refrain from inflammatory statements and actions that could heighten political tension in the state.

He said the people of Kaduna deserve a political environment where ideas can compete freely, citizens can make their political choices without fear, and the sanctity of the ballot is respected.

Ashiru reaffirmed his commitment to an issue-based campaign anchored in peace, unity, development, accountability, and good governance, stressing that the 2027 elections should be about presenting competing visions for the future of Kaduna State rather than violence, intimidation, or harassment.

Reacting, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shu’aibu, SAN, said KADVS operatives did not attack residents who were on a lawful campaign rally.

According to the commissioner, “I can assure you that KADVS members are professionally trained and they will not behave in a manner that is not consistent with the law. That is one. Then secondly, whoever comes out to do a rally must have an approved consent from the security agencies so that they can have security cover”

Shu’aibu added, “You know, we are in a very tight situation now, particularly because of the lifting of the ban on campaigns across the board. So the government, and particularly the security agencies, will have to be very careful with regard to whoever is conducting a rally in any manner whatsoever, so that hoodlums will not hijack it,” he said.

Kaduna Police Explain Dispersal Of ADC Crowd, Cite Traffic Obstruction

The Kaduna State Police Command has explained the dispersal of a crowd linked to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna metropolis, saying the action followed the obstruction of a major road and a breakdown of public order.

The command said the incident on Wednesday was not an attempt to stop a lawful political gathering or peaceful assembly, but arose from a security situation at Murtala Square.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, the command said it received a distress call from security personnel at Murtala Square that a group of unknown persons was attempting to forcefully gain entry into the premises.

The clarification followed a statement by the Kaduna ADC candidate circulating on social media, in which he criticised the use of tear gas and argued that it did not invalidate citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.

The police spokesperson also cited a previous judgment of a High Court in Kaduna, saying: “A High Court in this same Kaduna has already declared attempts by the police to suspend political gatherings unconstitutional and an abuse of power. That judgment stands; our rights stand.”

Hassan said police personnel were immediately deployed to prevent a breach of security and maintain public order.

He said the officers, on arrival, found a large number of persons carrying banners bearing the acronym ADC and advised them that anyone seeking to hold an event or gain access to Murtala Square was required to follow due process and obtain the necessary authorisation from the management.

According to him, the police subsequently withdrew from the area after the situation appeared to be under control.

He, however, said the group later proceeded along WAFF Road towards the NEPA Roundabout by Ahmadu Bello Way, one of the major commercial routes in the metropolis.

Hassan alleged that the group blocked the roadway, causing severe traffic congestion and bringing vehicular movement to a standstill.

He said the obstruction led to agitation and confrontation involving the group, cyclists and motorists, resulting in a breakdown of public order.

The police spokesperson said officers intervened to restore normalcy and prevent further escalation, adding that minimal and proportionate force, including tear gas, was deployed to disperse the crowd.

The command, however, maintained that it respected the constitutional rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, stressing that such rights must be exercised within the ambit of the law.

The command urged the public to disregard what it described as misleading narratives surrounding the incident and rely on verified information from the police.