Some angry youths reportedly attacked the convoy of Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, in Bida on Sunday afternoon, destroying several vehicles and injuring the Chairman of the New Niger Development Project, Abubakar Mustapha, after a failed cash handout scheme.
Eyewitnesses told SaharaReporters that the governor had earlier promised residents to come over on Friday to receive cash gifts ahead of the local government election.
However, when the distribution reportedly favoured only a few individuals, those who were left out became enraged.
“The governor promised that everyone would receive money, but only a few people got anything. That’s when the youths started shouting and attacking,” an eyewitness said.
According to sources, the angry youths pelted the convoy with stones and sachet water, damaging over six vehicles in the process. The chaos erupted near the town hall.
Another eyewitness told SaharaReporters that after the attack, the mob also vandalised APC and the governor’s billboards in the area, accusing the governor of deceit and neglect.
“The people were very angry because they waited for him to fulfil his promise. When he didn’t, they lost control,” the source said.
Mustapha, who sustained injuries during the attack, was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, for medical attention.
The incident came just days after a stampede at the same cash-sharing event in Bida claimed orchestrated by the governor where a young girl’s life was lost and left several others injured.


