Angry youths confront Nigerian deputy governor's convoy after bandit attack
Angry young people confronted the convoy of a deputy governor in Nigeria's Zamfara State on Sunday. He had come to the town of Gwashi to offer condolences after a deadly bandit attack. Residents said no government official came to the town right after the attack.
Angry young people confronted the convoy of Zamfara State's deputy governor, Mani Malam Mummuni, in the town of Gwashi in northwestern Nigeria on Sunday, LEADERSHIP and Daily Trust reported.
Mummuni had come to Gwashi, in Bukkuyum Local Government Area, to offer condolences after a bandit attack last week, LEADERSHIP and Daily Trust reported. LEADERSHIP said the attack killed at least nine security personnel and several civilians. Daily Trust said it killed nine security personnel and civilians.
Residents said youths blocked the entrance to the town and chanted "Bamayi," LEADERSHIP reported. It translated the Hausa word as "We don't want you." A resident quoted by Daily Trust said women, children, youths and elderly people came out to boo the deputy governor.
Residents were angry that no government official came right after the attack, LEADERSHIP and Daily Trust reported. "Nobody from government came when we were under attack and mourning our people. Now they are here, we don't want them," a resident said, according to LEADERSHIP. A resident who spoke to Daily Trust said no state delegation had visited since the 2023 election campaign.
Accounts of what happened next differed. LEADERSHIP said the youths kept the deputy governor from entering the community and that he and his security team took cover. When it filed its report, he and his team were stranded and waiting for reinforcements, LEADERSHIP said. Residents quoted by Daily Trust said youths stoned the convoy and destroyed a vehicle.
A member of the deputy governor's entourage denied that the convoy was attacked, Daily Trust reported. He said the protesters were near the market while the deputy governor's gathering was near the town's hospital. He said the damaged car was a security vehicle that had broken down and was towed away.
A resident said people in the community spent six to seven days without leaving after the attack because security escorts stopped, Daily Trust reported.
There was no immediate statement from the Zamfara State government, LEADERSHIP reported. Residents said Bukkuyum is one of the areas worst hit by banditry in the state, according to LEADERSHIP.
What we know: Angry youths confronted the deputy governor's convoy in Gwashi during a condolence visit.
What we don't: Whether the convoy was attacked, which a member of his entourage denied.
Where outlets agree LEADERSHIP and Daily Trust report that angry youths in Gwashi confronted Deputy Governor Mani Malam Mummuni's convoy on Sunday during a condolence visit after a bandit attack that killed nine security personnel and civilians.
Where they differ LEADERSHIP says the youths kept the deputy governor from entering the community, while Daily Trust quotes a member of his entourage saying his gathering was held near the hospital, away from the protest.