Police in Kaduna State Command said it has launched a full-scale investigation into a political meeting organised by former governor, Nasir El-Rufai, which reportedly degenerated into violence and sporadic gunshots.
The police position has put paid to earlier rumour that a group of state government-hired thugs were responsible for the attacked launched during the transition meeting of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna town, injuring several persons.
It was learnt that the SDP and ADC coalition meeting was held under the leadership of Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of the state.
The State Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, in a statement issued on Saturday, noted that despite repeated warnings, the organisers went ahead with the meeting, a development that allegedly created a fertile ground for thugs to unleash violence.
He explained that preliminary findings showed that “political gangsters and thugs attached to the former Governor” were involved in the shooting that disrupted public peace and order in the state.
Preliminary findings indicate that the gathering led to a clash, during which thugs and political gangsters attached to the former Governor allegedly fired gunshots, causing chaos and disruption of public order and peace in the state,” the statement read.
Hassan noted that the command would not spare anyone found culpable, no matter how highly placed, warning that nobody was above the law.
The police further disclosed that it had approached the ADC leadership to clarify the issue.
According to Hassan, party officials denied knowledge of such a meeting and distanced themselves from any gathering allegedly linked to El-Rufai.
“The Command wishes to state categorically that the investigation is ongoing, and anyone found culpable, irrespective of his personality and no matter how highly placed, if he acted contrary to the law, will face the full weight of the law,” he said
The police command has further launched an inquiry from the ADC party secretariat to keep the records straight.
According to the party officials, they denied knowing of any meetings and refuted the claim of the organisers.
“The ADC leadership reaffirmed their commitment to the rule of law and distanced themselves from the claims of the former Governor,” the spokesman said.
He also warned that hotels, event centres and similar facilities would henceforth be held liable if they host political gatherings without first notifying security agencies.
“Any hotel, event centre, or similar facility that permits political meetings or gatherings without prior notification to the Police or other relevant security agencies will equally be held liable.
“This measure is to ensure due process is followed and to prevent thugs or miscreants from hijacking such gatherings to cause mayhem or breakdown of law and order,” he added.
The Command said it had suspended all unauthorised political gatherings across the state until due process and proper security arrangements were ensured.
It noted that the move was in the overall interest of peace and public safety.
“In the interest of peace and public safety, the Command further announces that all such unauthorised gatherings are to be suspended until due process and proper security arrangements are ensured,” Hassan stated.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
