The campaign train of President Goodluck Jonathan came under attack again on Thursday, this time in Bauchi state.
Previous attacks on his convoy had been reported at other states – Kebbi, Kano and Katsina – further raising fears about possible outbreak of violence during the presidential election.
Six operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) were hospitalised following injuries they received at the rally, where Jonathan was met with a hostile crowd wielding brooms and stones on the road and at the rally venue.
The president had visited the palace of the emir of Bauchi, Rilwan Suleiman Adamu (pictured), to pay homage .
Advertisement
Hostility began as soon as he left the palace, as youths with brooms and posters of APC candidates began to antagonise him.
As the president’s motorcade entered the Ibrahim Babangida Square, venue of the rally, the youths started throwing stones at the convoy.
The rally had to be rushed to avoid further incidents, but the convoy was attacked again as he made to leave the venue.
Advertisement
The violent youths attacked the last bus in the convoy, injuring six DSS operatives.
Ten youth corps members were killed in Bauchi during the 2011 elections.
