Political opponents burnt my house, says Gaya
Police arrest 18 suspects
Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano
An early morning violence erupted at Gaya Local Government Area of Kano State when youths set on fire, the residence of a three-time senator from Kano South senatorial district, Senator Kabiru Gaya.
According to an eyewitness account, the rampaging youths started the demonstration at about 8.30a.m. yesterday, barricading major strategic locations leading to the town, which created heavy gridlock that prevented motorists and commuters from passing through the area.
Also hit, was the constituency office, residence and poultry farm of member representing Gaya/Ajingi federal constituency, Hon. Abdullahi Mahmud Gaya, which were also set ablaze by the irate youths.
The demonstrators, according to reports, had initially planned to stage a peaceful demonstration but were persuaded by elders in the town to shelve the idea as a result of which they took the final decision to go ahead with the demonstration which eventually turned into a violent one.
A resident of the town who spoke under anonymity said he was not surprised by the turn of events in the area, considering the manner in which political office holders neglect them with impunity.
The resident added that with the biting economic situation, politicians in the corridors of power must show concern for their people.
“Senator Gaya is one of the politicians we have and has not been living up to our expectations. For almost ten years now, nobody can point out a single project he had executed in Gaya town. So I am not surprised at what had happened today,” he said.
A resident of another consistency said: “The problem we are facing is the acute scarcity of drinking water. Our children have to trek to far distances of about five kilometres to fetch water. Our unemployed youth are still battling to survive and to me, the demonstration was not surprising.”
It was also observed that local influential figures in the area have to scampe
r for safety for fear of attack.
However, Gaya has accused his political opponents of sponsoring the ‘hoodlums’ that burnt his house.
Speaking with THISDAY on phone from the United States, Gaya said he was still at a loss with the action of the youths, noting that he transformed his constituency by providing basic infrastructure and as such don’t deserve the harrowing treatment.
Senator Gaya said he built dispensaries, schools and boreholes among others for his constituents over the years, stressing that what happened was simply the handiwork of his political opponents.
“ Two weeks ago, I was there, I engaged most of them and I have assisted many unemployed youth to secure jobs. I have built hospitals, schools, provided boreholes among others for my people. I don’t believe my people can do this to me, I’m suspecting political opponents who want to get at me.” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Kano State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 18 suspected rampaging youths believed to have been involved in the riot that led to the torching of the residence and farm house of Gaya and House of Representatives member, Abdullahi Mahmud Gaya.
The spokesman of the police police, Musa Magaji Majia, said the youths also attempted to burn the secretariat of Gaya Local Government.
According to him, the police also identified five ring leaders of the attack, adding that the operatives had began to trail them.
He said a team of policemen from Wudil and Gaya local government contributed immensely and douse the tension.
Majia added that policemen had been deployed to the town and normalcy had been restored.
According to him, police commissioner of the state, Alhaji Maigari Abbati Dikko, have visited the scene of the incidence.
