Enyioha Opara, Minna
A House of Representatives member, representing
Bosso, Paiko Federal Constituency in the Niger East
senatorial zone of Niger State , Salihu Adamu,
narrowly escaped death last Monday when aggrieved
youths in his constituency beat him beyond
recognition.
Our correspondent learnt from a very reliable source
that he was first hospitalised in the Tunga area of
the state capital following the assault before being
transferred to a medical centre in Kaduna.
According to findings the vehicle in which the
lawmaker was travelling was also damaged by the
angry youths.
It took the intervention of men of the Niger State
Police Command who were invited by some people at
the scene of the incident for the lawmaker to be
save.
Trouble was said to have started when the lawmaker
drove into one of the villages in his constituency to
attend a political meeting.
The youths who were said to have haboured
resentment against the politician took exception to
his attending the meeting because he had failed to
visit them since he was elected almost two years
ago.
It was learnt that immediately he arrived the meeting
the youths advised him to leave in his own interest
but the lawmaker ignored the threat.
An eyewitness said , “ One of the youths first slapped
him and another hit him in the stomach making him
to fall to the ground.
“ It then became a free for all as every youth there
tried to take their pound of flesh from the politician .
”
When contacted the State Police Command Public
Relations Officer , Bala Elkana , confirmed the
incident.
“ It was a politically motivated attack, ” Elkana said ,
adding that three suspects had been arrested in
connection with the incident.
The police spokesman also confirmed that the
legislator was admitted to a private hospital in
Minna before being moved to Kaduna.