By Paul Joseph
The Chairperson of the Kano State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Sa’adatu Maijama’a, narrowly escaped death after suspected political thugs attacked her during an APC rally in Rano town, Kano State.
Maijama’a, who also serves as chairman of Tudun Wada Local Government Area, was reportedly rescued by operatives of the State Security Service moments before the attackers could reach her.
Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred as the ALGON chairperson approached a Coaster bus conveying senior government officials, including Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, to the political gathering.
According to reports, the suspected thugs — some allegedly armed with machetes — advanced towards her while hurling objects and causing panic at the venue.
Security operatives attached to the governor’s convoy quickly intervened, shielding Maijama’a and forcing her into a waiting SUV before driving away from the scene.
A witness alleged that the attackers continued assaulting the vehicle even after she had been evacuated.
“Even as the SSS operatives saved her, they started attacking the vehicle. But for the quick intervention of the SSS operatives, she would have been dead,” the eyewitness reportedly said.
Following the incident, Governor Yusuf was said to have convened an emergency security council meeting to discuss the growing insecurity and rising wave of political violence in Kano State.
The attack has heightened concerns over the resurgence of gang violence and political thuggery across several parts of Kano, where residents have repeatedly reported deadly clashes and knife attacks linked to armed groups locally known as “yan daba.”
Earlier this month, Amnesty International announced plans to launch a public inquiry into the rising cases of political violence and gang-related killings in the state.
The rights organisation warned that recent attacks involving armed political gangs pose a serious threat to peace, public safety and human rights in Kano State.
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