Katsina government says violence not linked to Radda's campaign rally

The Katsina State Government said the violence in Yankara, Faskari Local Government Area, was due to a disagreement during a Maulud procession. They denied any connection to Governor Dikko Radda's campaign rally.

Reports say two vehicles were set on fire and many people were hurt during the incident.

In a statement on Saturday, the governor's Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, explained that people in the religious procession clashed with security forces over the routes. This caused confusion on a public street.

He added that the event had nothing to do with the Tinubu-Dikko campaign rally in Faskari.

LEADERSHIP newspaper reported that some suspected hoodlums burned two vehicles, including one belonging to the Musa Adamu Network (MAN), a political group. Many people were hurt, and shops were also damaged.

Nura Yandaki, the chairman of the association’s caucus, shared that he was on the road with 11 other members heading to the governor’s rally when the trouble started. He said the issue began around the Maulud procession, and that is when the suspected hoodlums attacked vehicles passing by.

Mr Yandaki mentioned that his group was unharmed, but their vehicle was destroyed.

An unnamed local government official also told LEADERSHIP that two vehicles were burned and several people were hurt as residents and political supporters waited for the governor's arrival. The official said security agents later brought the situation under control.

The government’s statement did not mention the attacks on vehicles carrying people to the rally.

Mr Mohammed confirmed that Governor Radda passed through Yankara without any issues on his way to Faskari. The governor visited the district head’s palace and checked on renovation work at the local government secretariat and council chambers before going to the campaign rally.

The government has called on security agencies to look into the violence and find out what happened. They also urged media groups and social media users to confirm facts before publishing them. The government appealed to residents to stay calm and not spread unverified information.