The Acting Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Sanusi Garba Rikiji, yesterday, narrowly escaped being lynched by some aggrieved youths of Birnin Magaji town of the state, with police and soldiers having to fire repeatedly into the air to disperse the angry mob.
The incident happened barely five days after the celebration of Sallah when Rikiji visited the area following the killing of three people during an encounter with a group of suspected armed robbers.
Hundreds of youth hurled stones and used sticks on the convoy, accusing the state government of failing to provide security in the area. The attack occurred in Birnin-magajiin, headquarters of Birnin-magaji Local Government Area of the state, witnesses say.
Rikiji who is also the Speaker of the State House of Assembly arrived the area with some top government functionaries, including the state Commissioner of Police.
However, after his arrival, some of the aggrieved natives started shouting at the acting governor, calling him names, even as others started throwing stones at him and other members of his entourage, and in the process, damaging some of their vehicles.
There were no reported fatalities or injuries, Police said, adding that investigation had begun into the attack.
One eyewitness told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the angry youths took the decision in response to what they described as the poor security provision in the state, among other grievances.
The Police Command in Zamfara said it was probing the “unfortunate” attack.
Police Spokesperson for Zamfara state, Lawal Abdullahi, said that the police would not fold its arms and allow such unbecoming behaviour by the youths.
He said the police had deployed troop of mobile and regular police to maintain peace in the area and warned that those found guilty will face the law.
