The jubilation that followed the election victory of President Muhammadu Buhari turned sour in Bauchi on Wednesday, as a 19-year-old teenager, Muhammad Harisu of Nassarawa area in the Bauchi metropolis lost his left ear as a result of attack by suspected political thugs popularly known as ‘Sara-Suka’ during a rally organized by supporters of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state capital to celebrate the party’s victory in the last Presidential and National Assembly elections.
While narrating his ordeals in an interview with Journalists on Friday, Muhammad Harisu said that he was outside their home to witness the rally when the suspected thugs went on rampage and stabbed people who came their way without ‘any provocation’.
“Four of them came to me and macheted me on several parts of my body including my left ear, back and hand. I tried to run but they already wounded me. So I rushed to a nearby chemist where the wounds were covered with a bandage to stop them from further bleeding”, he further narrated.
He added that, “I was then taken to Tashan Babiye hospital by Police where the wounded ear was further treated. Though I can hear with that ear but it was not very clear and I am feeling severe pains now “.
Also speaking on the incidence, the candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in State Assembly for Bauchi Central constituency, Abubakar Sadiq Idris alleged that the rally was led by his opponent of the ruling APC, saying that the thugs stormed his residential area along Nassarawa road in the Bauchi metropolis where they allegedly attacked innocent people including his pregnant sister and destroyed his campaign posters.
He claimed that the attack was aimed at intimidating people ahead of the upcoming governorship and State Assembly elections in the state.
“She was attacked inside the house because they penetrated into the whole area and did not spare anyone they could set eyes on and smashed cars. In fact, they attacked even a mad man who doesn’t know anything and is now receiving treatment at hospital”, the PRP candidate added.
Sadiq Idris concluded that “The obnoxious event might not be unconnected with the victory recorded by our party in the last election where PRP candidate won the House of Representatives seat for Bauchi local government federal constituency”.
While confirming the violence, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Bauchi State Command, DSP Kamal Datti Abubakar stated that, “at about 4pm on that day, the Command received a report that, while some members of the public are celebrating the victory of their political parties in the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections in Bauchi metropolis, some group of youths suspected to be Sara Suka thugs went on rampage attacking them with machetes and sticks”.
Kamal Datti in a press release stated further that, ” On receipt of the report, the Command mobilized its operatives to those areas and curtailed the situation. However during the unfortunate incident, three innocent people were confirmed injured, they were then taken to the hospital by the Police, treated and discharged”.
He further stated that so far four suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident while the case is under investigation for further evidence