By Uzair Adam
Tension gripped the popular Kano phone market, Farm Centre, after a large group of hoodlums stormed the area, attacking traders and carting away valuables.
The attackers, reportedly numbering about 200 and armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons, were alleged to be accompanying a Kano Central senatorial aspirant, Abdussalam Abubakar, popularly known as AA Zaura, to an event held near the market.
The Chairman of the market, Alhaji Jamilu Bala Gama, confirmed the incident, explaining that it occurred around 1:25 p.m. when the group invaded the area.
He added that the violence was not limited to Farm Centre, as nearby markets, including City Centre and New Dubai, were also affected.
The Daily Reality gathered that the movement of politicians with armed thugs has become a growing concern in Kano, often resulting in violence and disruption of business activities.
“They were many, about 200 or even more. They attacked innocent people and traders, injuring them and stealing their property,” Gama said.
He noted that as of the time of filing this report, the hoodlums remained within the vicinity of the ongoing event, forcing traders to flee and shut down their shops.
According to him, such incidents have become frequent, with hoodlums often accompanying political gatherings and targeting traders.
“We plan to take legal action against politicians generating tension in our markets by moving around with hoodlums,” he added.
Gama also disclosed that police officers from a nearby station responded but came under attack, with some sustaining injuries.
A trader, Abdullahi Dabinai, corroborated the account, describing the incident as part of a recurring pattern that has long affected the market community.
He said police eventually dispersed the hoodlums using teargas, adding that such violence tends to occur whenever political events are held nearby.
He further explained that although the latest attack was concentrated around roadside shops, many traders fear it could spread deeper into the market in future incidents.
He recalled previous occasions when political gatherings created panic, forcing traders to lock themselves inside their shops.
As of the time of this report, there was no official statement from the police. Efforts to reach the Kano State Police Command spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, were unsuccessful, as calls to his line were not answered.
Attempts to obtain a reaction from AA Zaura also failed, as the event allegedly linked to the incident was still ongoing.
