Suspected thugs kill one over ballot box snatching

There was confusion in Rigachikun in Igabi Local Government of Kaduna State on Sunday, following the killing of a 40-year-old man at Saturday’s bye-election in the area bus suspected political thugs.

According to an eyewitness, the victim, Mansur Shafiu, was killed by suspected political thugs in his efforts to prevent ballot box snatching.

“In trying to prevent them, one of the thugs brought out a knife and stabbed him,” the eyewitness said.

The spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, ASP Mansir Hassan, who confirmed the incident, said suspected political thugs who snatched election materials at the Tsohon Garin Rigachikun polling unit shot the victim.

He said the victim was shot in the leg by suspected political thugs and that after being rushed to the hospital, he died.

Mansur was said to be a graduate of Sociology from the Kaduna State University.

Meanwhile, the incident sparked protest as youths from Rigachikun barricaded the Zaria-Rigachikun highway, which led to gridlock, forcing motorists to be stranded. But normalcy was restored after the military intervened.

In his reaction, the winner of the Igaba Federal Constituency bye-election and candidate of the PDP, Hussaini Jallo, described the death of the 40-year-old Mansur as unfortunate.

Mansur was buried in accordance with Islamic rites around 10 am on Sunday in Rigachikun.

He vowed to ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crime were not allowed to go unpunished while paying a glowing tribute to his supporter, who, he said, was out to exercise his civic responsibility when he met his untimely death.

Jallo, a House of Representatives member, in a statement issued to newsmen in Kaduna on Sunday, said,

“Let me pay special tribute to Mansur Shafiu, who was shot dead while trying to exercise his franchise. We will surely not allow this act of barbarism to go unpunished.

“We will engage the Nigerian 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 out to voters during our rerun election that led to the snatching of ballot boxes in Rigachikun, Unguwar Yelwa Birinin Yero, Kwarau, Mando, and Joga by hired thugs to face justice.”

The lawmaker who dedicated his electoral victory during the bye-election to the slain supporter added, “We have overcome numerous obstacles and challenges that stood in our way; we have faced adversity head-on, refusing to be defeated or deterred.

“My victory is not just a personal accomplishment but a victory for all those who have supported me along the way.

“My accomplishments are the culmination of the unwavering belief and encouragement of all my compatriots who stood firm against tyranny and injustice.

“I acknowledge that the challenges that lie ahead for victory are not a one-time achievement but a continuing journey. I will face these future obstacles with the same determination and tenacity that brought me here.”