Selection of village head in Adamawa turns bloody, 5 injured

At least five persons have sustained fatal injuries in a violent clash over the selection of a village head in Adamawa state.

Blueprint correspondent learnt that violence erupted after Shu’aibu Ka’inga was named the new village head of Mijilu community in Mubi North local government area of the state.

One of the contestants, who craved anonymity, told our correspondent that unknown gunmen suspected to be miscreants hired by Shuaibu attacked supporters of the popular candidate.

Shuaibu’s selection was reportedly greeted with violence from two other contenders and their supporters who rejected him over allegations of land grabbing like his late father, Adamu Ka’imga.

The youth carried out a protest to the Palace of Emir of Mubi to register their displeasure over the manipulated selection of Shuaibu.

He was selected following the demise of his father, Adamu, who was accused of forcibly taking people’s land.

The incident followed a protest by the youth of Mijilu who were asking for Price Elisha Iliya to be their next village head.

Two contestants – Gabriel Giye and Paiche Shigiri Miza, had stepped down for Shuaibu.

The state police command has condemned the incident and ordered an investigation into the crisis.

The spokesperson for the police command, SP Suleiman Nguroje, said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Sikiru Akande, has ordered an immediate investigation into the matter with a view to ensuring peace and justice to all parties.”

“The CP who cautioned against the unruly behaviour of the youths, warming that those taking the law into their hands would no longer be tolerated under any guise,” he said.