Police arrest 14 over attack on APC supporters travelling to rally

The Katsina State Police Command has arrested 14 suspects after an attack on supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) travelling to Wednesday’s Tinubu–Dikko 2027 campaign flag-off in Funtua.

The attack, which occurred along the Yashi–Funtua road in Malumfashi Local Government Area at about 11 a.m., left a female passenger injured and several vehicles damaged.

Police spokesperson Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu said in a statement on Thursday that suspected political thugs armed with knives and stones hurled stones at the convoy and passing commercial vehicles, smashing several windscreens.

Officers deployed along the route intervened and arrested the suspects, while others escaped, he said.

The police identified 13 adult suspects aged between 18 and 35 and one 17-year-old. They did not disclose the suspects’ political affiliation or establish a motive for the attack.

The command said efforts were underway to arrest other suspects. It did not indicate whether any charges had been filed.

The police confirmation comes after the Katsina APC leadership described Wednesday’s campaign flag-off at Funtua Township Stadium as peaceful.

In a statement signed by the party’s state Public Relations Officer, Shamsu Sule Funtua, APC Chairman Bishir Gambo Saulawa said no rancour, clashes, injuries or loss of property were recorded at the event.

His statement focused on the rally at the stadium and did not specifically address reports of attacks on supporters travelling through Malumfashi.

The Tinubu–Dikko 2027 Campaign Council subsequently acknowledged receiving reports that commuters were attacked around Malumfashi and Kankara.

Its Director of Media and Publicity, Ahmed Abdulkadir, said some vehicles were damaged and commuters sustained minor injuries.

The police statement confirmed the incident in Malumfashi but made no reference to Kankara.

In a separate warning on Thursday, Katsina Commissioner of Police Ali Fage said the command would not tolerate political thuggery, destruction of campaign materials or other acts of violence during the electioneering period.

The police said investigations into the attack were continuing.