Police Probe Alleged Attack on Rep. Doguwa, APC Supporters in Kano
The Kano State Police Command has commenced investigations into an alleged attack on Hon. Al-Hassan Ado Doguwa, member of the House of Representatives representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency, and other supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Police spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, confirmed on Thursday that all parties involved, including the Chairperson of Tudun Wada Local Government Council, Hajiya Sa’adatu Salisu, have been invited to give their accounts.
“There is a formal complaint against the ALGON chairperson. All witnesses and the suspect have been invited. The orderly to the ALGON chairperson has also been recalled to the command to give account of the matter,” Kiyawa stated.
The police action followed a petition submitted by Doguwa, who accused members of the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano of persistent attacks on APC supporters in his constituency.
According to Doguwa, Hajiya Salisu, who also serves as the chairperson of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, allegedly led thugs to attack workers at Tasarrufi General Enterprise on August 28. He further claimed she ordered her police orderly to open fire during a subsequent attack on artisans, leaving several people injured.
“What we had was a barbaric attack on our people and our party offices, organized and perpetrated by the chairman. She opened fire on innocent persons at the marketplace under the guise of demolishing structures belonging to opposition members,” Doguwa alleged.
The lawmaker also accused Salisu of plotting to demolish properties owned by APC members, including that of Tudun Wada APC Chairman, Alhaji Suyudi Umar Tudun Wada.
Recalling past clashes with the ruling NNPP, Doguwa referenced allegations of murder brought against him during the last general elections. “It was not until courts of competent jurisdiction, both in Abuja and Kano, cleared me that justice was served. The judgments even awarded ₦25 million in damages against the governor and the Kano State government,” he said.
Meanwhile, a human rights organisation, Human Rights Network (HRN-Nigeria), has petitioned the Kano State Commissioner of Police over the matter. In a letter signed by its Country Director and Legal Consultant, Comrade A.A. Ayagi, HRN alleged that Salisu led armed thugs to attack Mallam Suyudi Umar and his workers at his workshop in Kofar Gari, inflicting injuries and destroying property worth millions of naira.
The group described the attack as politically motivated and intended to force Umar to vacate his workshop, which he has occupied since 1999. HRN urged the police to ensure a thorough investigation to forestall further attacks and guarantee justice for the victims.
