Fears of rising political violence heightened in Maiduguri yesterday when former state governor Ali Modu Sheriff had to abandon his car and make a fast escape when youths and thugs attacked his long vehicle convoy near the Shehu of Borno’s palace. Yesterday’s attack, which observers thought was retaliatory, came two days after thugs thought to be supporters of Sheriff attacked the convoy of Governor Kashim Shettima on Saturday. Sheriff’s convoy was pelted with pebbles, shoes, sachet water and pieces of firewood, the same objects used to attack Shettima’s convoy.
Sheriff had arrived in Maiduguri on Sunday after an 11-month absence. He arrived in a convoy of over 200 cars and embarked on visitations yesterday. About 20 cars are said to have been destroyed. He visited the Shehu’s palace and then left for his campaign office on Sir Kashim Ibrahim Way, which has been decorated. As he left the palace, some 200 youths, including women and children interrupted his convoy along the Dandal Way. Chanting “Wanyana, Wanyana” meaning “we don’t want you” and “Kilado” meaning “enemy”, the youth then attacked the convoy. They had initially lined up the route pretending to be Sheriff’s supporters. A witness said even as the attack unfolded, Sheriff was throwing money at the youths.
Alhaji Babagana, owner of a patent store close to the scene of the incident, described the attack as dramatic. He said, “The former Governor successfully paid homage on the Shehu of Borno. While he was at the palace, the youth piled up, singing a kind of solidarity song but their tone suddenly changed when Sheriff approached them. But while they were stoning him, the former governor was throwing money at them and his supporters were throwing his posters.”
Kolo Aisami, who participated in the stoning, told Daily Trust that the youth wanted to vent their anger on the former governor. He said, “Sheriff was out of this state for long when Maiduguri was boiling and the people were held hostage by Boko Haram. Now that peace is gradually returning he has also staged a comeback to disrupt the process.” Sheriff’s spokesman Mohammed Duhu could not be reached for comments as at the time of filing this report while the state government also refused to comment on the matter.
Click to download unlimited e-books in various disciplines for FREEAlhaji Babagana, owner of a patent store close to the scene of the incident, described the attack as dramatic. He said, “The former Governor successfully paid homage on the Shehu of Borno. While he was at the palace, the youth piled up, singing a kind of solidarity song but their tone suddenly changed when Sheriff approached them. But while they were stoning him, the former governor was throwing money at them and his supporters were throwing his posters.”
Kolo Aisami, who participated in the stoning, told Daily Trust that the youth wanted to vent their anger on the former governor. He said, “Sheriff was out of this state for long when Maiduguri was boiling and the people were held hostage by Boko Haram. Now that peace is gradually returning he has also staged a comeback to disrupt the process.” Sheriff’s spokesman Mohammed Duhu could not be reached for comments as at the time of filing this report while the state government also refused to comment on the matter.
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