BY AHMED TUKUR, LAFIA – Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital on Wednesday witnessed a brazen display of political thuggery as suspected hoodlums abducted and savagely assaulted Mohammed Sadiq, Special Assistant on Media to Governor Abdullahi Sule.
In a terrifying show of unprovoked aggression, suspected thugs intercepted the governor’s aide and forcibly dragged him into a nearby building where they subjected him to a merciless beating, lashing him repeatedly with heavy cables until he collapsed into unconsciousness.
However, what could have ended in tragedy was narrowly averted when some vigilant passers-by heard Sadiq’s desperate cries for help piercing through the commotion. Rushing toward the distress calls, the good Samaritans were able to intervene and successfully rescued the battered official from the grip of his attackers.
The attack was allegedly triggered by Sadiq’s comments on the composition of the state All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council, which he raised observation and comes less than 24 hours after the state APC Chairman, Aliyu Bello, threatened that party members and supporters would defend themselves.
Bello, who accused the security agencies of bias in handling petitions and reported cases of unprovoked attacks by some political opponents, had announced that they had lost confidence in the Police.
Condemning the brutal attack on their son, members of Sadiq’s family have reportedly threatened a reprisal if the authorities fail to take decisive action over the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice
In his reaction, Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government, Labaran Magaji, described the incident as barbaric and inhuman, assuring that the state government would ensure justice for Sadiq and bring those responsible to answer for their criminal act.
According to the SSG, “The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice will take up the matter appropriately and ensure justice for Sadiq.”
Recounting his experience after regaining consciousness, the Governor’ media aide said he was invited by the attackers under the pretext of discussing issues concerning the APC, alleging that upon arriving at the location, the men dragged him into a building and repeatedly assaulted him until he lost consciousness.
Sadiq claimed the only offence was his observation over the composition of the APC state campaign council, particularly concerning the alleged inclusion of members of other political parties in the team
As political tension gradually mounts in the State, the latest development has reportedly generated discontent among some party members, with insiders worried about internal cohesion and political unity within the state chapter of the ruling APC ahead of next
This is as any residents of the state await the outcome of investigations into the violence that erupted during the APC Presidential campaign rally in the state about two weeks ago.
