24 injured in Suleja riot

Dipo Laleye Minna - 24.03.2008

Twenty-four people have been admitted at the Suleja General Hospital and other private health institutions in the town following injuries they sustained in a free-for-all that occurred last weekend.
The police, however, claimed that one person was injured in the skirmishes between supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and the rival All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

Nigerian Tribune learnt that the incident happened at a local government election rally put together for Saturday’s polls by the PDP. According to eye witness, lorry loads of people wielding weapons including knives, cutlasses and cudgels started the problem by intimidating the people right from Maje town a few kilometres to Suleja town.

By the time these thugs arrived at the city centre, the situation had become uncontrollable with people running for their lives. The residence of the chairmanship candidate for the local government election was also not far from the palace, according to the report and some youths were said to have thrown stones at the campaign train from the house.

It was also learnt that the development almost marred the rally which was attended by the state governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, but for the intervention of the police. Seven people, one of them described as a driver to the Emir, have so far been arrested though the arrest of the Emir’s driver was said to be a case of mistaken identity.