Sokoto State's governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has denounced the attack on his convoy that occurred on Sunday and pledged to hold those guilty accountable.
As the governor made his way back to Sokoto following a campaign trip in the Wammako and Silame Local Government Areas, a gang of alleged thugs stoned his convoy.
The other dignitaries who were with the governor at the time of the incident, including Mallam Saidu Umar and Gen. Aminu Bande (rtd), who are running for governor in Sokoto and Kebbi states in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), escaped unscathed.
Two of the fleet's vehicles were damaged, nevertheless, by the assailants.
After a meeting with state stakeholders and political appointees, Tambuwal informed reporters that some of the assailants had been captured and would soon face charges.
“The matter is being investigated by the security agencies. Some arrests have been made. Be rest assured that the law will take its course,” the governor stated.
According to a second news briefing given by the state Commissioner for Information, Hon Akibu Dalhatu, one of those nabbed was the gang leader of the assailants, Abu Mai Adda, who had been on the NSCDC’s watch list for the past three months for allegedly attacking their personnel.
After assaulting PDP supporters at the campaign ground in Wamakko, the commissioner stated Mai Adda also wrecked some vehicles in the governor’s convoy and stole five motorcycles.
“It is unfortunate that yesterday, on our way back from Wammako at the senatorial office of Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako, some hoodlums attacked my convoy on way to to the Government House,” Tambuwal remarked. He pleaded for calm by saying, “We cannot condone any culture of violence in Sokoto State.”
“We cannot afford to toy with the fragile peace in the state. Therefore, I urge all political leaders in Sokoto State to eschew violence and to advise all their followers and supporters to go out and campaign peacefully and look for votes, not perpetrate violence.
“As you know, we believe in peace. We have been preaching peace and peaceful coexistence in Sokoto State irrespective of political differences, lineage or persuasions,” he added.