19-year-old Muhammad Harisu of Nassarawa area in the Bauchi metropolis on Wednesday lost one of his ears when he was attacked by suspected political thugs during a rally organised by supporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state capital to celebrate their victory in the presidential and national assembly elections.
Narrating his ordeal in an interview with journalists on Friday, Harisu said he was outside his home to witness the rally when the suspected thugs went on rampage stabbing those who came their way “without any provocation.”
He said: “Four of them came to me and macheted me on several parts of my body including my left ear, back and hand. I tried to run, but they had already wounded me. So, I rushed to a nearby chemist where the wounds were covered with bandage to stop the bleeding.
“I was then taken to Tashan Babiye Hospital by police where the wounded ear was further treated. Though I can hear with that ear, it is not very clear and I feel severe pains.”
Also speaking, the House of Assembly candidate of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) for Bauchi central constituency, Abubakar Sadiq Idris, said the thugs stormed his residence on Nassarawa road in Bauchi metropolis where they attacked people including his pregnant sister and destroyed his posters.
He said the attack was aimed at intimidating people ahead of the upcoming governorship and state assembly elections.
“She was attacked in the house because they penetrated the whole area and did not spare any one they could set eyes on and smashed cars. In fact, they attacked a mad man; he is now receiving treatment in a hospital.
“The obnoxious event might not be unconnected with the victory recorded by our party in the last election where PRP candidate won the House of Representatives seat for Bauchi local government federal constituency,” he said.
However, the public relations officer (PPRO) of the state police command, DSP Kamal Datti Abubakar, said at about 4pm on that day, the command was informed that while some members of the public were celebrating the victory of their political parties in the presidential and national assembly elections in Bauchi metropolis, youth suspected to be Sara Suka thugs went on rampage attacking them with machetes and sticks.
“On receipt of the report, the command mobilised its operatives to those areas and curtailed the situation. Three innocent people were injured; they were then taken to hospital by the police, treated and discharged,” he said.
As the time of filing in this report, four suspects had been arrested in connection with case.
