Fresh violence was reported in Yankara town, Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, on Saturday, October 31, following an incident involving youths, a Maulud procession and supporters travelling to Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s campaign rally.
Eyewitnesses told Channels Television that suspected hoodlums attacked members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) travelling to the Tinubu-Dikko 2027 campaign rally in Faskari. Several people were reportedly injured, while a vehicle belonging to the Musa Adamu Network (MAN) was set ablaze.
Alhaji Nura Sule Yandaki, chairman of the network’s caucus, said he and 11 members of his team were travelling to the rally when the incident occurred. He alleged that some individuals took advantage of tensions surrounding a Maulud procession to attack vehicles conveying APC supporters.
However, the Katsina State Government has rejected claims that the violence was connected to the governor’s campaign. In a statement, the government said preliminary findings indicated that the disturbance resulted from a disagreement between participants in the Maulud procession and security personnel over designated procession routes. It maintained that Governor Radda passed through Yankara without incident.
The government said Radda subsequently attended the campaign rally in Faskari and called for a thorough investigation to establish what happened. It also urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information.
There are conflicting accounts of the severity of the incident. While some eyewitnesses alleged that two APC supporters sustained fatal injuries, the claim had not been independently confirmed. The Nigerian Police had not issued a statement on the Yankara incident as of Saturday night. It was reported that one person was feared dead, with several others injured, based on accounts from residents.
Despite the incident, Radda proceeded with the Tinubu-Dikko 2027 campaign rally, where he highlighted his administration’s achievements in healthcare, education, infrastructure and security. He also announced the completion and opening of the Faskari General Hospital, saying the project fulfilled a promise made during an earlier campaign visit.
The incident comes days after another reported attack on APC supporters travelling to Radda’s campaign flag-off in Funtua, Katsina State. Police confirmed arrests of 14 suspects in connection with the earlier Malumfashi incident. The latest developments have raised fresh concerns about the safety of political activities in the state as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.