Angry youths in Bida, Niger State, on Sunday attacked the convoy of Governor Umar Bago, damaging vehicles and injuring one of his aides after a disagreement over a cash distribution exercise ahead of the local government election.
The trouble began when residents gathered expecting to receive money that the governor had reportedly promised to share. According to witnesses, only a few people were selected to benefit from the funds, leaving many others angry and frustrated. The situation quickly turned chaotic as some youths began throwing stones and sachet water at the governor’s convoy near the town hall. Several vehicles had their windows smashed, and at least six cars were damaged in the process.
During the violent incident, the Chairman of the New Niger Development Project, Abubakar Mustapha, sustained injuries and was taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Bida for treatment. Witnesses said the crowd also destroyed billboards bearing the governor’s images and those of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the government of neglecting the people.
This unrest comes only days after a stampede at a previous cash-sharing event in the town, which was linked to the governor’s team, resulted in the death of a young girl and injuries to several others.
As of the time of this report, there has been no official statement from the Niger State government regarding the latest attack. However, residents say tension remains high in Bida, with security personnel on alert to prevent further violence.