BY OUR CORRESPONDENT – It was a condolence visit turned sour as the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Malam Mani Mummuni, and his entourage narrowly escaped lynching during an attack by angry residents in Gwashi community, Bukkuyum Local Government Area of the State on Sunday.
The unfortunate incident occurred when Malam Mummuni visited the community following last week’s attack that led to the killing of nine security personnel and civilians.
Competent sources said being one of the largest political wards in the local government, members of the community are angry with the Deputy Governor and the State government at large, over the deteriorating security situation in the area.
According to one resident,who preferred anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the issues. “The last time they (government people) visited us was more than three years ago; they visited us during the 2023 election campaign.
“Since then, neither the Deputy governor nor any State government delegation has visited us to show concern about the alarming security challenges.
“Today, we have shown the world the situation we are in. We have expressed our grievances on several occasions, but no action has been taken to address insecurity and the lack of development projects.”
The furious resident said due to frequent bandits’ attacks, members of the community can sometimes stay for more than six consecutive days without going out to purchase essential items.
Expressing the community’s frustration at the way thing are panning out daily, he said: “We spent six to seven days without leaving our community. Security personnel have stopped escorting people, and nobody could risk his or her life by going out. If we spend more days like that, believe me, even salt will become unavailable within the area.”
Also lamenting the lack of basic amenities in the community, the angry community member said: “We do not have an access road, a good hospital or portable drinking water. Our school buildings are dilapidated and regrettably, the government has done nothing about improving the situation of things.”
Voicing the community’s pain and disappointment in the same manner, another resident, who also did not want his name in print, said the secondary school in the community had deteriorated to the extent that animals now use the premises for shelter.
He said the action against the Deputy Governor was spontaneous as women, children, youths and elderly residents came out to express their grievances and demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the present administration.
“We came out in large numbers, with women, children, youths and elderly people booing the deputy governor and chanting ‘Bamayi, Bamayi’ [we will not]. We know he came to canvass for votes, and we will not vote for them,” he said.
Further claiming that Deputy Governor’s convoy was lucky on the day, the resident said: “Even the Deputy Governor Mummuni narrowly escaped the mob, but one of vehicles in the convoy was destroyed.”
However, an official in the Deputy governor’s entourage, who also pleaded to be anonymous, denied that the convoy was attacked, saying the protesters were around the market area while the Deputy Governor’s gathering took place near the Community’s hospital.
Hear him: “What they are saying is not true. We were in an entirely different location, and the car they claimed was destroyed was a security vehicle that developed a mechanical fault. It was later towed away.”
Confirming the official’s position, a security source said Deputy Governor Mummuni had adequate security cover who effectively blocked people from accessing the venue where he engaged some community members on the worsening insecurity.
From his claims. “Massive deployment of security personnel prevented people from getting close enough to register their grievances. However, we booed the Deputy Governor and stoned the convoy.
“The Deputy Governor narrowly escaped because the youths are generally angry over the lack of government concern and intervention in their situation.” – With Daily Trust report
