Thugs Attack ADC Gathering In Kaduna, El-Rufai Slams Police
Violence broke out on Saturday at the inauguration of a transition committee jointly set up by opposition parties in Kaduna State, as armed thugs stormed the venue, attacking participants and destroying property.
The committee comprised members of an APC faction opposed to the state leadership alongside PDP, SDP, NNPP, Labour Party and ADC.
Eyewitnesses said hoodlums armed with cutlasses, clubs and stones disrupted the launch, injuring several people and damaging vehicles. Despite the chaos, the event continued under tense conditions.
Angry participants accused policemen deployed to the scene of standing by and doing nothing.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who attended the gathering, condemned the attack, describing it as “a dangerous descent into lawlessness.”
He alleged that senior police officers, including an Assistant Commissioner of Police, “stood by and watched” as the violence escalated.
Mallam Nasiru Elrufai @elrufai is attacks at ADC meeting in kaduna, many supporters get injuries.
Seem like the attackers are afraid of the rising acceptance of the ADC party in kaduna and el Rufai that’s why they did this. pic.twitter.com/fmdlAe1NrY
— 𝑆𝑎𝑙𝑚𝑎✨ (@_salamah__) August 30, 2025
“If the authorities don’t end the introduction of thuggery into Kaduna politics, God help us. Nobody has a monopoly on violence or thugs. We will take decisive steps to ensure this does not repeat itself,” El-Rufai said, adding that he would escalate the matter to the Police Service Commission.
ADC National Vice Chairman (North-West), Jafaru Sani, called the incident “sad and unfortunate,” stressing that Kaduna has a long history of political violence. “We will never be intimidated or forced to retreat. We will continue to pursue our political activities with all the energy and commitment we have,” he vowed.
But Kaduna APC Secretary, Alhaji Yahaya Baba-Pate, denied the party’s involvement, saying the APC does not sponsor thuggery. “The ADC and other opposition groups are free to carry out their activities without harassment,” he said.
The Kaduna State Police Command, through its spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, said a formal statement on the matter would be released.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
