Youths protest shooting of student during Kaduna re- run election
YOUTHS in Kaduna, yesterday, took to the streets to protest the killing of one Mansur Mai Shago during last Saturday’s re- run election in Rigachikun, Igabi Local Council of Kaduna State.
Shago, a sociology student of the Kaduna State University ( KASU), was allegedly hit by a stray bullet after the election turned violent.
Consequently, some youths barricaded the RigachikunZaria expressway in protest, calling on security agencies to fish out persons behind the shooting.
The Guardian learnt that the student was shot at his shop during a crisis involving the police and some hoodlums, who allegedly snatched and ran away with the results of some polling units. An eyewitness said violence erupted when the counting of ballots started and it was observed that a particular party was leading at Box 06 of the Women Centre ward in Rigachikun.
According to the witness, who pleaded anonymity, “when counting was ongoing, a group of thugs in the company of police officers stormed the area in a Hilux vehicle with number plate RBC 144 AP, snatched the ballot box, and took away the INEC officials”.
He added: “After they left, a former Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, who is also a resident of the area, came to the scene in the company of some police officers. Then the crowd started shouting ‘ karya ne! Ba ma yi!” ( It’s a lie! We disagree!)
“It was at that moment that the police officers accompanying the former Speaker started shooting in the air. A female police officer shot into the crowd and a stray bullet hit Mansur Mai Shago whose shop was nearby.”
Also, a party agent, Ibrahim Adamu, who was at the polling centre, said he was attacked by thugs who wounded him in his right hand as he tried to run for dear life.
Meanwhile, military officers were drafted to the spot to ensure the barricade was dismantled and vehicular movement restored.