Police dissipate APC supporters in Jigawa

On Tuesday, in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State, members of the Nigerian Police dispersed APC supporters who had gathered there under the banner of the Danmodi Youth Concern.

For a rally in support of Umar Namadi, the state's deputy governor and the APC's candidate for governor, the supporters gathered at the Investment Centre in Dutse.

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Lawal Shiisu, who confirmed the incident to newsmen, claimed the supporters had a quarrel and proceeded to fight one another, before the police intervened.

He claimed that the Danmodi Youth Concern planned to march to the Dutse orphanage and give aid to the children there in order to promote Danmodi, a popular candidate for governor.

He said, “However, a fight erupted between them and the police had to mobilize to put a stop to the unruly behaviour.”

The brawl started while the Danmodi Youth Concern was handing out campaign papers during the gathering, according to one of its members.

He said, “They began distributing materials but didn’t give many people. That is why some people, especially those that come from a far destination, become angry. They decided to mount on the vehicle that was carrying the materials and the driver furiously drove to the road leading to some of them getting injured. That is how the fight began.”

Another participant at the rally, Isah Ibrahim said, “After the fight erupted, the police came to the scene and started chasing people with sticks and arresting everyone they could get. That is how they dispersed everyone.”

Ahmed Abdulmumin, Chairman of the Danmodi Youth Concern, however, said that the event's main goal was to express support for the APC candidate for governor.

He said, “Our collective resolution to converge as Danmodi Youth Concern Organization and support Danmodi was born out of his numerous commitments as a former commissioner and a present deputy governor of Jigawa state towards uplifting the course and aspirations of youth in the state.”