APC senator flees as ‘thugs’ invade stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna

Suleiman Hunkuyi, senator representing Kaduna north, on Sunday escaped being killed by thugs during a political gathering of stakeholders and leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna.

At the meeting, Hunkuyi asked his supporters to resist an alleged plan to impose candidates on them during the APC congresses scheduled from May 5.

However, thugs chanting “Kaduna sai Uba Sani, Kaduna Sai El-Rufai in 2019″, stormed ENDwell Hotel in the city center, venue of the meeting, brandishing all kinds of weapons and throwing stones on those at the meeting.

In the process, those who sustained injuries are receiving treatment at Barau Dikko and Garkuwa hospitals in the metropolis.

Many vehicles were destroyed by the suspects.

Jame Obute, media aide to the senator, told NAN that the vehicle of Tijjani Ramalan, chairman of ATAR Communication and leader of Hunkuyi’s APC faction, was vandalised.

Hunkuyi visited the injured persons in the two hospitals. He condemned the attack and accused the state government of masterminding it.

He said his opponents were jittery of his political acceptance in the state.

Hunkuyi said he had never experienced such in the last 30 years that he has been in politics.

Austin Iwar, commissioner of police in the state, confirmed the attack, saying Hunkuyi had lodged a complaint with the police.

He, however, declined further comments.

In February, the Kaduna government destroyed a building of Hunkuyi which was used as the head office of his faction of the APC in the state.