By Yemi Monday
Suspected political thugs have attacked and injured one Comrade Maheer Idris Kumo, former Chairman of the APC Promoters Forum in Gombe State Broadcasting Media in what is believed to be politically motivated attack even though politicking had ended with the conduct of the 2023 General elections.
The attack came barely few days after similar attack was made on Hon. Sadiq Zakari Zingili by suspected political thugs popularly called Yan Kalare in Gombe political parlance.
The attacks followed the participation of the duo in a political programme in Hausa called ‘Hausa Magana Zarar Bunu’ aired on February 3rd in one of the broadcast media in Gombe.
Checks revealed that, prior to the attack on the 6th of February 2024, both Kumo and Zingili had taken precautionary steps by reporting threats to the Department of State Services (DSS).
Further checks revealed that in response to the reports by both parties, the DSS was said to have launched investigations, resulting in the arrest of one suspect in connection with the assault on Sadiq Zingili.
However, in a distressing turn of events, another group of thugs wielding axes and other dangerous weapons, launched a brazen attack on Comrade Maheer Idris Kumo at Kumbiya-Kumbiya quarters near Tanko Ishaqa Gwamna Junction.
This incident is said to underscored the growing concerns surrounding political discourse in Gombe State, where individuals face violence for exercising their rights to freedom of expression.
In a reaction to the development, Moses Kiyari, the All Progressive Congress (APC) Public Relations Officer in Gombe State, emphasized that the party does not condone violence against its members and called on security agencies to take decisive action against perpetrators.
Former secretary of the organization Hon. Nafiu Usman Bello Scorpion condemned the acts of violence and urged authorities to ensure the safety and protection of all individuals engaged in political discourse.
He stressed that “freedom of expression is a fundamental right that must be upheld, and those responsible for such heinous acts must be held accountable under the law.”
Meanwhile, reacting to the development, Gombe State Police Command through the PPRO, ASP Mahid Muazu Abubakar, stated that as of the time of filling this report, he did not have details about the incident but promised to cross check and get back.
He however assured that the Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Usman, has been preaching peace, law and order since he assumed duties and will do everything possible to maintain the relative peace in the state.
