Kano ALGON Chairperson Under Police Investigation for Alleged Attack on Factory Workers
The Kano State Police Command has launched a formal investigation into serious allegations against Sa’adatu Salisu, Chairperson of Tudunwada Local Government Council and head of the Kano State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON). The official has been accused of leading a violent mob of over 200 thugs to attack workers at the Tasarrufi General Enterprise factory, with reports suggesting she ordered her police orderly to open fire on unarmed staff.
A Formal Complaint and Police Response
According to a formal complaint filed at the police command headquarters in Bompai, the incident represents a severe breach of public trust and safety. Police spokesman Abdullahi Kiyawa confirmed that the command has commenced a thorough investigation and has issued invitations to all parties involved.
“There is a formal complaint against the ALGON chairperson. All the witnesses and the suspect have been invited. The orderly to the ALGON chairperson has also been recalled to the command to give account of the matter,” Mr. Kiyawa stated, emphasizing the seriousness with which authorities are treating the allegations.
Chronology of a Violent Confrontation
The confrontation allegedly began on Thursday, August 28, when Mrs. Salisu initially visited the factory site accompanied by a road construction contractor working in Tudunwada town. According to Suyudi Umar, manager of Tasarrufi General Enterprise, the council chairperson demanded to know why the factory had not vacated the premises, despite explanations from project engineers that the facility fell outside the area designated for road construction.
“This is the fourth time Sa’adatu is coming to my factory,” Mr. Umar revealed. “Despite the fact that the project engineer had explained to her that our factory was not covered in the project affected areas, she insisted that we should vacate the place.”
Witnesses allege that Mrs. Salisu became confrontational when the project engineer supported the factory’s position, reprimanding him for contradicting her authority. The situation escalated dramatically when she returned to the factory around 5 p.m. with what witnesses describe as “over 200 thugs brandishing dangerous weapons.”
Allegations of Attempted Murder and Violence
The most serious allegations involve the purported use of firearms by the council chairperson’s security detail. Mustapha Bashir, one of the injured workers, claims he was shot in the hand while trying to protect the factory manager from harm.
“We were on duty when the thugs suddenly pounced on us on the orders of the local government chairperson. They came with dangerous weapons including guns,” Mr. Bashir recounted. “I heard her ordering her orderly to shoot at our manager. I heard her saying ‘see him there, see him there.’ As I was dragging him away, the orderly, a policewoman, fired the shot and hit me on my left hand.”
Bashir believes his intervention potentially saved the manager’s life, though he sustained significant injury in the process.
Multiple Victims and Injuries Reported
Another victim, Khalifa Suyudi, suffered a fractured left hand during the attack. He described how he intercepted a blow intended for the factory manager, taking the full force of the impact himself.
“As we were busy working, we just saw dozens of thugs with weapons and started attacking us,” Suyudi stated. “I sustained a fracture on my hand when one of the thugs attempted to hit my boss with a club and I blocked him from hitting him.”
The company, which produces metal pots, meat grillers, and other metal products, employs 64 staff members, though only approximately 30 were present during the attack. Multiple workers reported injuries from machetes, clubs, and other weapons wielded by the assailants.
Questions of Authority and Accountability
The incident raises troubling questions about the abuse of power and the relationship between local government officials and security personnel. Factory manager Umar expressed shock that an elected official would personally lead a violent mob against lawful businesses.
“I am surprised how she led thugs, as a woman and a leader, to hire thugs and attacked my staff,” Umar said. “That is why I am here at the police headquarters to report the matter and seek justice.”
Workers emphasized that their factory operates legally and falls outside the road construction project area, making the council chairperson’s demands both unreasonable and unlawful.
Ongoing Investigation and Political Implications
The Kano State Police Command’s decision to recall the police orderly assigned to Mrs. Salisu indicates the seriousness of the firearms allegations. The involvement of a security detail in what victims describe as an illegal operation against private citizens could have significant implications for police protocols and the oversight of government officials.
As head of Kano’s ALGON, Mrs. Salisu holds considerable influence among local government chairs across the state. The outcome of this investigation could therefore have wider political ramifications beyond Tudunwada Local Government.
Attempts to reach Mrs. Salisu for comment have been unsuccessful, as her phone number remained unreachable at the time of reporting. The silence from the accused official leaves many questions unanswered as the police investigation continues.
Broader Context of Political Violence in Nigeria
This incident occurs against a backdrop of concerns about political violence and the misuse of authority by local officials in Nigeria. The alleged mobilization of thugs by an elected representative echoes patterns seen in other regions where political power has been weaponized against citizens.
Legal experts note that if proven, the allegations could constitute multiple criminal offenses including assault, incitement to violence, and potentially attempted murder. The case also raises questions about accountability mechanisms for local government officials and the protection of businesses from arbitrary exercise of power.
Seeking Justice and Protection for Businesses
The victims have expressed determination to pursue justice through proper legal channels. “We were doing our lawful duty. We were not doing anything illegal,” emphasized Khalifa Suyudi, whose hand fracture represents both physical and economic harm, as he cannot work while injured.
The case highlights the vulnerabilities that small and medium enterprises face when confronted with powerful local interests. For many business owners in Nigeria, the fear of arbitrary actions by officials represents a significant barrier to investment and economic development.
As the police investigation proceeds, the business community and civil society organizations will be watching closely to see whether accountability prevails over political connections. The outcome may signal whether Nigeria’s institutions can protect citizens from the abuse of power at local levels.
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