Sani Abdullahi, a resident of Kasuwan Ali Community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, has been gunned down at the venue of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the House of Representatives seat.

Eyewitnesses told Daily Trust that the victim was shot dead by soldiers following a disagreement over the commencement of the exercise.

Ibrahim Sale, a resident who confirmed the incident, said the trouble started when some APC members protested the delay in the commencement of the primary earlier scheduled for Saturday.

According to Sale, “The exercise was supposed to hold on Saturday morning, but it didn’t take place because of the absence of returning officers. So the youths started protesting, alleging that the delay was deliberate.

“As this was going on, government officials who came to witness the exercise decided to leave because of the absence of the electoral officers. But some youths blocked the road to prevent the officials from leaving the venue.

“The youths insisted they would not leave until electoral officers arrived to conduct the primary. This drew the attention of security personnel, who moved in to disperse them. As soon as the security personnel arrived, the youths started throwing stones at them. The soldiers then started shooting, and a stray bullet hit the victim.”

Eyewitnesses said the incident had sparked confusion, with residents condemning the killing and calling on relevant authorities to investigate and ensure justice for the victim. (Weekend Trust)