The over 10,000 protesters marched on the house of the district head over what they termed refusal of the two lawmakers to fulfil campaign promises one year after. But because nobody was to address them, the protest turned violent.
When they got to Gaya’s house and Mahmoud’s campaign office, the protesters torched both structures. The protesters also invaded Mahmoud’s farm and slaughtered his chickens, which they described as their own dividends of democracy.
The youth said the lawmakers promised to provide essential services such as water, electricity and roads immediately after assuming office but failed to fulfil their promises. The leader of the protesters, Tanimu Sani Gaya, explained that before the elections, they sat down with all the politicians and agreed that they would solve their problems of water, electricity and unemployment among others.
They expressed worry that one year after, the people of the area still trek several kilometres to get water and hundreds of youths still roam the street without anything to do. According to them, the area is still without power supply.
The protesters also attempted to burn the house of the chairman of Gaya Local Government. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Magaji Majiya, said policemen were still making efforts to stop the protest.
He said: “Our men in Gaya are still trying to bring the situation under control but as soon as we get details of the incident, we will keep you posted.” The state Police Commissioner, Abati Maigari Dikko, later told journalists that five politicians were the masterminds of the attacks. Dikko said the attacks had political undertone. He said 18 people had been arrested in connection with the attacks.
The police chief, who was in Gaya to assess the damage, said the senator’s house was vandalised while his generator room was set ablaze. He also said Mahmoud’s poultry was vandalised while a house in the farm was torched.
Dikko said the protesting youths tried to set the Gaya Local Government Secretariat on fire but were prevented by his men. Gaya is said to be in the United States while Mahmoud did not pick his calls.
It was learnt that security agents had initially dispersed the protesting youths but they later regrouped and burnt Gaya’s house. They left Gaya’s house for Mahmoud’s campaign office and his poultry farm.
For me, I like that. They thought we are fools
ReplyDeleteThey deserved it, i swear
ReplyDelete