An escalating crisis over unfulfilled promises erupted in Bida on Sunday when angry youths attacked the convoy of Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, destroying multiple vehicles and injuring an aide, Abubakar Mustapha, Chairman of the New Niger Development Project. The mob action was triggered by a failed cash handout scheme that eyewitnesses say was promised by the Governor ahead of the local government election. Residents, who had gathered hoping to receive the promised funds, became enraged after the distribution reportedly favored only a few individuals, leading to a chaotic outburst. The youths pelted the convoy with stones and sachet water, damaging over six vehicles and subsequently vandalizing APC and Governor’s billboards, accusing Bago of deceit and neglect. This violent backlash follows closely on the heels of a deadly stampede at a similar Bida cash-sharing event days earlier, which resulted in the death of a young girl and several injuries.
I was unable to find an official statement from the Governor’s office specifically addressing this attack or the alleged failed cash handout scheme. However, if you’d like, I can search for more general reactions or comments from the Niger State Government on the issue of security or community relief.
