A fresh crisis has erupted within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State following the killing of an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) during a palliative distribution in Tudun Wada Local Government Area of the state.

The incident, which occurred on Friday, involved a confrontation between supporters of the Chairperson of Tudun Wada Local Government and Kano State Chairperson of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Sa’adatu Salisu Soja, and the member representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency, Alhassan Ado Doguwa.

The deceased officer, identified as Buhari Maifulawa, was reportedly killed during a Ramadan/Sallah palliative distribution organised by the federal lawmaker to support party loyalists in Tudun Wada, an area considered a political stronghold of the council chairperson.

Eyewitnesses said the situation turned violent after supporters of the two political figures exchanged insults, which escalated into a physical confrontation and later degenerated into full-blown violence that led to the officer’s death.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the NSCDC in Kano State, Ibrahim Dala, said the command had launched a full investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the killing.

“Yes, he is a volunteer staff, not a regular officer. We have been in contact with our Tudun Wada division to gather more details about the incident, after which the command will determine the next line of action,” Dala said.

Meanwhile, Soja called for a thorough investigation into the killing of the officer during the palliative distribution in Tudun Wada.

The council chairperson also demanded the suspension of Doguwa from all political activities and gatherings within the constituency pending the outcome of investigations into the death of the NSCDC officer.

In a statement posted on her social media platform, Soja said residents of Tudun Wada were mourning the tragic loss of the young officer who died during the rice distribution exercise.

She called on both the Federal Government and the Kano State Government to urgently investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Reacting to the development, Doguwa confirmed the incident but alleged that the officer was killed when hoodlums attempted to disrupt the palliative distribution.

The lawmaker described the incident as a tragic loss and extended condolences to the Civil Defence Corps, the family of the deceased officer and the people of Tudun Wada.

He also called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to identify those responsible for the violence and ensure they are brought to justice.

Doguwa, however, warned against the spread of false information linking him directly to the incident, stressing that he would take legal action against defamatory statements aimed at damaging his reputation.

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(The Guardian)