APC rally: Suspected thugs attack journalists, smash Radio Nigeria vehicle in Kano

APC rally: Suspected thugs attack journalists, smash Radio Nigeria vehicle in Kano

Suspected political thugs on Saturday attacked journalists returning from an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Kano State, smashing the windows of their vehicle and injuring the driver.

The incident occurred behind the City Campus of North West University, Kofar Nassarawa, shortly after the journalists left the Sani Abacha Stadium, where they had covered a major political gathering organised by the ruling party.

The attackers reportedly wielded machetes and knives and repeatedly struck an official Radio Nigeria Pyramid FM vehicle conveying journalists and security personnel.

A Pyramid FM journalist, Yakubu Abubakar Gwagwarwa, confirmed the incident, saying the vehicle had five journalists and three policemen on board.

According to him, four of the journalists were Radio Nigeria Pyramid FM staff, while the fifth worked with Guarantee Radio. The three policemen had reportedly been given a lift from the stadium after the political event.

Gwagwarwa said the presence of the policemen did not prevent the attackers from assaulting the vehicle.

He said the attackers repeatedly hit the bus, forcing the driver to quickly turn back in an attempt to escape, but the assailants reportedly continued following them.

The journalist said the driver sustained injuries during the attack, while some of the journalists were hit by fragments of broken glass after the vehicle’s windows were smashed.

Gwagwarwa, however, said the incident might not have been specifically targeted at journalists, describing it as a seemingly random attack in which other people in the area could also have been victims.

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The journalists had been covering an APC political rally in Kano held at the Sani Abacha Stadium, where the Tinubu Support Group (TSG) was unveiled in the state as part of political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The gathering attracted prominent political figures and a large crowd of supporters, with several politicians formally joining the APC.

Among those reported to have defected to the ruling party were former senators Rufai Sani Hanga and Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, as well as Senator Mas’ud El-Jibrin Doguwa.

Other political figures reported to have joined the APC included former Kano State House of Assembly Speaker Isyaku Ali Danja, former PDP deputy governorship candidate Yusuf Bello Danbatta and former NDC deputy national chairman Ali Datti Yako.

Reports also indicated that the political gathering attracted a large crowd extending beyond the stadium into parts of the Kano metropolis.

The attack on journalists in Kano has raised fresh concerns about the safety of media workers covering political events, particularly as political activities and mobilisation increase ahead of the 2027 elections.

Journalists covering political rallies and other public events are expected to be able to carry out their professional duties without intimidation, harassment or violence.

The incident is also coming amid previous reports of violence linked to political activities in Kano. At least three people were reportedly killed by suspected political thugs several months ago on the day a new deputy governor was inaugurated in the state.

The latest incident is particularly concerning because three policemen were reportedly inside the Radio Nigeria vehicle when it came under attack.

Despite their presence, the attackers allegedly continued to strike the vehicle before the occupants managed to escape the area.

The circumstances surrounding the attack, including the identities and motive of the suspected attackers, remained unclear as of Saturday evening.

The Kano State Police Command had also not publicly issued a statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report, and there was no confirmed information on arrests.

The attack comes at a time when political parties and support groups are stepping up activities across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections, raising concerns over the need for greater protection for journalists, political participants and members of the public at political gatherings.

APC rally: Suspected thugs attack journalists, smash Radio Nigeria vehicle in Kano