The Nigeria Police Force in Bauchi State has confirmed an attack by suspected political thugs on vehicles belonging to members of the Peoples Democratic Party during a governorship candidate affirmation event held in the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Bauchi State Command, Nafiu Habib, disclosed this on Tuesday, stating that the incident occurred while security operatives were managing crowds at the programme venue.
According to him, the attackers arrived on motorcycles and vandalised vehicles parked outside the premises before fleeing the scene.
“The incident happened while our men were controlling crowds at the PDP governorship candidate affirmation.
The thugs arrived on motorcycles and smashed some cars parked outside the premises. They were chased but escaped,” Habib said.
He added that the command had commenced investigations into the incident through intelligence gathering and other security measures aimed at identifying those responsible.
Habib also warned against political violence, stressing that the police would not tolerate actions capable of threatening public peace, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Anyone who thinks of this kind of act should think twice. We will not accept any breakdown of law and order,” he stated.
The police confirmation followed allegations by a faction of the PDP loyal to the party’s National Chairman, Abdurhaman Muhammad, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that political thugs disrupted its governorship candidate affirmation event in Bauchi.
Speaking with journalists in Bauchi on Monday, the party’s National Ex-Officio, Muhammad Sabo, alleged that hoodlums vandalised vehicles and damaged party property during and after the programme.
According to Sabo, the incident occurred on Sunday when three suspected hoodlums riding on a motorcycle stormed the venue and smashed the windscreens and side glasses of five vehicles before escaping.
“The thugs, three in number, came on a motorbike and smashed the windscreen and side glasses of five vehicles and ran away,” he said.
Sabo further alleged that another group of hoodlums attacked the party secretariat after the event and destroyed several billboards.
“This happened while people were leaving the venue after the programme. Some other thugs, who were not part of our gathering, went to the secretariat and scattered some of the billboards,” he added.
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He condemned the attacks, describing them as a dangerous development capable of escalating political tensions in the state ahead of the next general elections.
While refraining from directly accusing any individual or political group of sponsoring the attacks, Sabo called on political actors to exercise restraint and prioritise peace.
“We don’t want to make direct allegations against anybody or say a particular person sponsored the thugs.
But we want to state categorically that this is a bad scenario that should not start happening at this early stage before the general elections,” he stated.
He also appealed to Bala Mohammed and the state government to ensure a peaceful environment that would allow all political parties to conduct their activities without intimidation or disruption.
“We wish to call upon the ruling party in the state, especially the governor, to, in the interest of peace, provide a peaceful platform for every political party to conduct its affairs without hindrance,” Sabo said.
He urged political leaders across the state to caution their supporters against violence, warning that continued acts of political intimidation could destabilise Bauchi State.
“This scenario is capable of generating violence, which we do not want to happen in Bauchi State,” he added.
Sabo confirmed that the faction had formally reported the matter to the police for further investigation.
“A formal complaint has been lodged with the police,” he said.
The faction had earlier affirmed Usman Supi as its governorship candidate in Bauchi State during the Sunday event.