Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the governor of Sokoto State, has denounced and pledged to hold those responsible for the attack on his convoy last Sunday accountable.
While the governor was returning from a campaign visit of the state's Silame and Wammako Local Government Areas with his entourage and party officials, suspected thugs pelted his convoy with stones in the state capital, Sokoto.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates for governor of Sokoto and Kebbi States, Mallam Saidu Umar and Gen. Aminu Bande (rtd), as well as the deputy governor candidate for Sokoto State, Hon. Sagir Bafarawa, were also with the governor at the time of the attack. All of them were unharmed.
However, the assailants did cause damage to two of the fleet's vehicles.
At the conclusion of a stakeholders' meeting with political appointees in the state, Tambuwal informed the media that some of the assailants had been detained and would soon face legal action.
“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 the state Commissioner for Information, Hon. Akibu Dalhatu, in a separate press briefing, the attackers gang leader, Abu Mai Adda, said to be on the watch list of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the last three month for allegedly attacking their personnel, was one of those apprehended.
The commissioner said Mai Adda also destroyed some vehicles in the governor’s convoy and stole five motorcycles after attacking PDP supporters at the campaign ground in Wamakko.
Tambuwal on his part said: “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 our way to the Government House. We cannot condone any culture of violence in Sokoto State,” as he appealled for peace.
“We cannot afford to toy with the fragile peace in the state. I, therefore, 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, and 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.