Protest rocked Rigachikun in Igabi Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna state on Sunday, as violence rocked last Saturday rerun elections for Igabi Federal Constituency resulting in the death of one Mansur Shafiu, a graduate of Kaduna State University.
The angry youths from Rigachikun town blocked the Kaduna-Zaria expressway at the Rigachikun end around 10:00am on Sunday in protest over the violent killing of one of their own. But soldiers from the nearby 1 Division Nigerian Army have since quelled the protest and dispersed the protesters.
Blueprint gathered that violence erupted during the counting of ballots on Saturday after it was observed that PDP was leading in Box 06 of Women Centre Ward of Rigachikun. An eye- witness account said when counting was ongoing a group of thugs in company of some security personnel stormed the area in a Hilux van with Abuja registration number, RBC 144 AP, snatched the ballot box and whisked away the INEC officials.
A resident of the area, Musa Umar said, “after they left, former Speaker Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon. Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani from APC who is also a resident of the area came to the scene in company of police and the people started shouting “karyane ba mua yi”. Meaning, (it’s a lie, we are not doing).
“It was at that moment the police accompanying the former Speaker started shooting into the air. In the process, a stray bullet hit Mansur Shafiu whose shop was nearby,” he narrated.
Meanwhile, Mansur who was hit by the stray bullet was rushed to the hospital, but later died around 10:00pm on Saturday. Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan confirmed the killing, saying that the Commissioner of Police, Ali Dabigi, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Charge of Criminal Investigation, to investigate the matter and arrest the culprits.
However, Member of the House of Representatives, Igabi Federal Constituency, Hon. Hussaini Muhammad Jallo, who emerged victorious at the rerun poll, said he dedicated his victory to God and the slain Mansur Shafiu.
Jallo, in a statement issued in Kaduna on Sunday, paid special tribute to the slain Mansur Shafiu, “we will surely not allow this act of barbarism to go unpunished. We will engage the Nigeria Police Force to launch an immediate full scale investigation with a view to fishing out the perpetrator of this killing and the deliberate attacks meted on voters during our rerun election that led to snatching of ballot boxes in Rigachikun, Unguwar Yelwa Birnin Yero, Kwarau, Mando and Joga by hired thugs to face justice.
“We have overcome numerous obstacles and challenges that stood in our way, we have faced adversity head on refusing to be defeated or deterred. We have put in countless hours of effort pushing ourselves beyond limit and never settling for mediocrity. My victory is not just a personal accomplishment, but a victory for all those who have supported me along the way. My accomplishments are culmination of unwavering belief and encouragement by all compatriots who stood firm against tyranny and injustice.
“I acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead for victory is not a one time achievement but a continuous journey. I will face these future obstacles with the same determination and tenacity that brought me here. Today, I raise my voice to declare victory. I embrace the lessons learned, the experiences gained, and the growth achieved. I am a victor, I will continue to strive for excellence in all that I do.”
