A 30-year-old man, Auwal Hassan, was allegedly shot by personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) at a campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday in Bojude town of Kwami LGA of Gombe State.
The victim had joined other villagers, who trooped out to receive the campaign train of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
Eyewitnesses said that the DSS personnel’s gun went off and hit Hassan in his leg during a commotion after the governor’s motorcade arrived at the venue of the campaign rally.
The victim reportedly fell down, writhing in pain after he was shot, a development that angered other youths who started chanting “Ba mayi” (we don’t support you) at the campaign gathering.
It took the effort of other security personnel in the governor’s entourage before the rampaging youths were calmed down.
Addressing the crowd shortly after the incident, Governor Yahaya ordered the immediate arrest of the DSS personnel for investigation.
He also directed that the victim be taken to the hospital for treatment at the expense of the state government.
The governor also announced that he appointed the victim alongside four other youths from Bojude town as his Personal Assistant (PA).
When contacted, the spokesman of the Gombe State Police Command, ASP Mahid Mu’azu Abubakar, sought time to get the details of the incident but had not called back as of the time of filing the report.