APC Protests Political Violence In Nasarawa, Demands Probe Into Alleged Attack on Shettima

Members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State on Monday staged a peaceful protest in Lafia against rising political violence, demanding a full-scale investigation into the attack on Vice President Kashim Shettima during his recent visit to the state.

Led by the State Chairman of the party, Dr Aliyu Bello, the protesters marched to the Nasarawa State Police Command and the State Command of the Department of State Services (DSS) at Government House to register their grievances.

Addressing security officials, Bello said the protest was a call for peace, unity and decent politics, lamenting what he described as repeated and unprovoked attacks on APC supporters by members of the opposition.

“We are here to convey a message of peace, a message of togetherness and a message of decent politics. We have witnessed a lot of attacks from the opposition side,” he said.

Bello disclosed that the party had written several letters to security agencies, naming alleged suspects behind the attacks, but claimed no concrete action had been taken.

He cited the killing of an APC supporter in Tudun Wada, Lafia, despite the party obtaining permission to hold its event, as evidence of the deteriorating political atmosphere in the state.

The APC chairman described the attack on Vice President Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu during the presidential campaign rally in Lafia, as embarrassing, unacceptable and a grave assault on constituted authority.

“We came here to demand justice, that a full-scale investigation should be carried out and the perpetrators of this act should be arrested and prosecuted,” Bello said.

He accused supporters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate and former Inspector-General of Police, Abubakar Adamu, of inciting violence through provocative utterances.

According to him, one supporter of Adamu had openly threatened that any police officer who came to arrest them should be killed, yet the individual was still walking freely despite being taken to court and allegedly breaching his bail conditions.

Bello also alleged that Adamu and his wife enjoyed more security backing than the sitting governor, who is the Chief Security Officer of the state, and his wife.

While insisting that APC supporters remained peaceful, orderly and committed to playing by the rules, Bello warned that the party would no longer fold its arms while its members were attacked.

“If we are pushed to the wall, we will have no option but to defend ourselves,” he said.

He urged security agencies to discharge their constitutional duty of protecting lives and property without fear or favour

Responding, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration and Finance, Gaya Ahmed, assured the protesters of the neutrality of the police.

“The IGP has made it clear that the police are neutral, and we will continue to maintain that neutrality,” Ahmed said.

He said all grievances properly channelled to the police would be investigated and anyone found culpable would be arrested and prosecuted, irrespective of status.

“The Nasarawa State Police Command is not seeing anybody as above the law. We see all as the same; the complaints would be presented to the incoming Commissioner of Police,” he added.

Similarly, the Deputy Director, Administration of the DSS, said the Command had heard the grievances of the protesters and would communicate them to the appropriate quarters for necessary action.

Addressing the protesters, Governor Abdullahi Sule, represented by his Deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, described the attack on Vice President Shettima as unfortunate and a disgrace to humanity, Nasarawa State and constituted authority.

“What happened on Wednesday was rather unfortunate; that citizens of the state can be associated with such kind of thuggery and misbehaviour by some of our youths is something that Nasarawa State is not known for,” Akabe said.

He noted that President Tinubu preaches peace every day because development cannot thrive in an atmosphere of instability, adding that Governor Sule had since 2019 committed heavily to security, making Nasarawa one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria.

Akabe said although security personnel did their best during the attack on the Vice President, their best was not good enough, as they had been adequately briefed and were expected to prevent it.

“The responsibility of security men is to protect lives and property. If you cannot protect lives and property, then a lot needs to be answered,” he said.

He disclosed that the State Emergency Security Council had already met, resolutions were taken, and the governor had taken action.

Akabe further disclosed that the former Commissioner of Police, Jauro Shettima, had been promoted to Assistant Inspector-General of Police and posted out of the state, while a new Commissioner of Police was expected soon with a more positive and progressive agenda to ensure adequate protection for all residents.