Police, ADC supporters clash over Kaduna rally

A solidarity rally by supporters of the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Isa Ashiru, turned chaotic on Wednesday as police and other security operatives dispersed the protesters with tear gas.

The development sparked accusations of intimidation from the ADC supporters, who alleged that the police and personnel of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service, popularly known as KADVIS, were deployed to frustrate their rally.

But the Kaduna State Police Command said it did not disrupt any lawful political gathering, explaining that its personnel intervened after the protesters allegedly blocked a major road, causing heavy traffic and a breakdown of public order.

The incident occurred on the day the Independent National Electoral Commission’s timetable opened the campaign season for the 2027 governorship election.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Wednesday, the leader of the ADC youth groups, Ibrahim Maikudi, alleged that the group had obtained approval from relevant authorities before embarking on the solidarity walk.

He said the organisers had also contacted the police, Federal Road Safety Corps and the Red Cross to provide security and emergency assistance.

Maikudi said, “We planned to hold a solidarity walk for our principal. As we all know, today is the beginning of the governorship campaign season of 2027.

“We sought approval from all relevant authorities, including the police, the Road Safety Commission and the Red Cross, to assist with unforeseen circumstances. But to our surprise, when we came out, we saw about 30 trucks of Nigerian Police with KADVIS.”

The youth leader alleged that the security personnel attempted to intimidate the protesters and disrupt the rally.

He called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the conduct of the personnel involved.

Maikudi said the incident would not deter the youths from supporting Ashiru, adding that the group was preparing legal action over the alleged disruption.

“Most of us are teenagers; some of us just finished university. These are the people that Uba Sani is afraid of,” he said.

He alleged that the disruption was part of a pattern of interference with opposition activities in the state.

“This is not the beginning. It started right from the day we were in the SDP. They attacked Malam Nasir El-Rufai and us in Kaduna. They did the same in Zaria.

“Last year, they arrested people, stopped and disrupted events more times than I can count. Until today, we are still coming out,” Maikudi alleged.

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He vowed that the group would continue mobilising support for Ashiru despite the incident.

“We will assure every Kaduna State person that even if we are the only people remaining in ADC, we will still come out and give Uba Sani a headache,” he said.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Mansir Hassan, in a statement on Thursday, gave a different account of the incident.

Hassan said the command received a distress call from security personnel at Murtala Square that some persons were allegedly attempting to forcefully gain access to the premises.

He said police personnel were deployed to prevent a security breach and maintain public order.

“On arrival, a large number of persons were observed carrying banners bearing the acronym ADC,” the statement said.

According to the police, the protesters were advised that anyone intending to hold an event or gain access to Murtala Square was required to follow due process and obtain the necessary authorisation from the management of the facility.

The command said its personnel withdrew after the situation appeared to have been brought under control.

It alleged, however, that the group later proceeded along WAFF Road towards the NEPA Roundabout on Ahmadu Bello Way, where they allegedly blocked the roadway and caused severe traffic congestion.

The police said the development subsequently resulted in agitation and confrontation involving members of the group, cyclists and motorists.

It said its personnel intervened to restore normalcy and prevent further escalation, adding that “minimal and proportionate force,” including tear gas, was deployed to disperse the crowd.

The command maintained that it respected the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression but stressed that such rights must be exercised within the law.

The police said the exercise of such rights should not involve obstruction of major public roads or compromise the safety and rights of other citizens.

The command urged members of the public to disregard what it described as misleading narratives about the incident and rely on verified information from the police.

The PUNCH reports that the confrontation came as political parties intensified mobilisation for the 2027 elections, with Kaduna expected to witness a keen contest between the APC and opposition parties.