40 Injured, Many Missing as APC Rally in Nasarawa Turns Violent

No fewer than 40 people have been injured and several others are missing after a clash at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State.

The rally, which had Vice President Kashim Shettima in attendance, became chaotic when some youths, dressed in APC clothes, started chanting for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Adamu Abubakar.

This caused a confrontation with security forces and supporters of the APC governorship candidate, Aliyu Wadada. The situation worsened as youths from both sides armed with dangerous weapons clashed, forcing many dignitaries outside the VIP area to run for safety.

Security forces then used tear gas to break up the angry youths and restore order. Many people were seen looking for their loved ones after the chaos.

The Nasarawa State Government has blamed former governor Umaru Al-Makura and the SDP candidate, former IGP Adamu Abubakar, for the violence. In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Labaran Magaji, the government called the incident an “ignoble act” by some angry youths linked to high-profile figures, including Senator Tanko Al-Makura and IGP Muhammad Adamu Abubakar.

It urged the State Security Service (SSS) to start a thorough investigation into the incident right away. “Accordingly, the Department of State Security Service is hereby directed to immediately institute a full investigation to unravel the cause of the incident.”

The organizers had to end the rally suddenly to protect dignitaries who had traveled from various places to attend the event. Tension is still high in Lafia, with security forces deployed in key areas of the town to prevent further violence and maintain public order.