NEWS
APC Rally: Suspected Thugs Attack Journalists Covering APC Rally in Kano, Smash Radio Nigeria Vehicle
Journalists returning from an All Progressives Congress (APC) political rally in Kano State were reportedly attacked by suspected political thugs on Saturday, leaving a Radio Nigeria vehicle damaged and a driver injured.
The incident occurred behind the City Campus of North West University in the Kofar Nassarawa area of Kano, shortly after the journalists had left the venue of the political programme and were heading back to their offices.
According to reports, the attackers descended on the vehicle conveying the journalists, allegedly using machetes and knives to repeatedly strike the bus and smash its windows.
The attack reportedly damaged the rear glass of an official Radio Nigeria vehicle, while some of the occupants sustained minor injuries after being struck by broken glass.
The journalists had been covering an APC event at the Sani Abacha Stadium, where the party launched a Tinubu Support Group rally and also received several political chieftains into its fold.
One of the journalists, Yakubu Abubakar Gwagwarwa of Pyramid Radio in Kano, confirmed the incident and disclosed that the vehicle was carrying journalists as well as three policemen who had been given a lift from the stadium.
“In the vehicle were four staff of Radio Nigeria Pyramid FM, a journalist with Guarantee Radio and three policemen we gave a lift from the stadium.
“But even the presence of security personnel inside the vehicle did not prevent the attackers from carrying out the assault.
“They continued to hit the vehicle despite the presence of security personnel and journalists inside. We had to quickly turn back, but they still followed us,” Gwagwarwa said,
The journalist explained that the attackers continued their assault even after the occupants attempted to escape by turning the vehicle around.
He said the driver was wounded during the incident, while some of the journalists were also hit by shards of broken glass as the attackers smashed the vehicle’s windows.
Despite the frightening nature of the incident, Gwagwarwa said he did not believe the journalists were necessarily the intended targets. He described the attack as appearing to be a random act of violence, suggesting that other people may also have been attacked in the area.
The incident has once again raised concerns over the safety of journalists and other residents during political activities in Kano, particularly as political gatherings attract large crowds and heightened tensions.
It also comes against the backdrop of previous reports of violence allegedly involving political thugs in the state.
A few months ago, at least three people were reportedly killed by suspected political thugs on the day a new Deputy Governor of the state was inaugurated, underscoring the recurring security concerns surrounding political activities in Kano.
The latest attack has further highlighted the risks faced by journalists while covering political events, where they can sometimes become caught up in clashes or acts of violence despite not being directly involved in political activities.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kano State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the reported attack.