Vice President Kashim Shettima and other high-ranking dignitaries were forced to flee to safety on Wednesday when an All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, descended into chaos.
The violent clash left more than 40 people injured and several others missing.
The mayhem erupted when youths dressed in APC regalia began chanting slogans in support of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate and former Inspector General of Police, Adamu Abubakar. This triggered an immediate confrontation with security operatives and supporters of the APC governorship candidate, Aliyu Wadada.
The situation deteriorated rapidly as rival factions engaged in street battles using dangerous weapons. While security personnel successfully evacuated VIPs from the pavilion, organisers abruptly ended the rally to prevent further casualties.
Operatives fired tear gas to disperse the crowd and restore order. In the aftermath, scores of panicked attendees searched for missing family members amid the wreckage. Tensions remained palpable across Lafia late Wednesday, with heavily armed security personnel deployed to strategic locations to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
Government Blames Opposition, Demands Probe
In a swift reaction, the Nasarawa State Government blamed a former governor of the state, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, and the SDP candidate, Abubakar, for instigating the violence.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Labaran Magaji, the administration condemned the incident as an “ignoble act” orchestrated by sponsored thugs. The government directed the State Security Service (SSS) to launch an immediate and thorough investigation.
As of late Wednesday, neither Al-Makura nor Abubakar had publicly responded to the allegations.
High-Profile Attendance and Pre-Existing Tensions
The rally was part of early APC mobilization efforts for President Bola Tinubu and party candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Representing the President, Vice President Shettima had earlier urged voters to deliver a sweeping victory for the APC at all levels. He was joined at Lafia Square by APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and thousands of party supporters.
However, sources noted that the rally was preceded by security breaches. Tensions reportedly flared earlier during Shettima’s courtesy visit to the Emir of Lafia, amid unconfirmed reports that Governor Abdullahi Sule was pelted with stones by aggrieved party members. The hostility is believed to stem from lingering internal party disputes over the state’s recent governorship primaries.
