There was palpable tension at the popular Kano phone market, Farm Centre, on Monday after over 200 suspected thugs stormed the area, attacking traders and stealing property.
The thugs, who were reportedly carrying cutlasses and other dangerous weapons, were allegedly accompanying a Kano Central senatorial aspirant, Abdussalam Abubakar, popularly known as AA Zaura, to an event at a hotel near the market.
The Chairman of the market, Alhaji Jamilu Bala Gama, confirmed the unfortunate incident.
He said it occurred around 1:25pm when the criminal elements invaded the market.
He said the attackers did not target Farm Centre alone but also unleashed violence on three other nearby markets, including City Centre and New Dubai.
The practice of politicians moving with armed thugs has become a disturbing trend, often leading to violence and disruption of commercial activities in Kano.
“They were many, about 200 or even more. They attacked innocent people and marketers, injuring them and stealing their property,” Gama said.
Gama further disclosed that police operatives from a nearby station responded to the situation but were also attacked by the hoodlums, with some officers reportedly injured.
Kano State police command is yet to issue an official statement in respect to the development.
