Tension and violence erupted at the venue of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State after a young man identified as Sani Abdullahi was reportedly shot dead during a chaotic confrontation involving security operatives and protesting party supporters.
The tragic incident occurred in Kasuwan Ali Community following confusion and outrage over the delay in the commencement of the primary election exercise, which had earlier been scheduled to hold on Saturday morning.
Eyewitnesses disclosed that frustration among party members and supporters escalated after electoral officials failed to arrive at the venue as expected, triggering protests from aggrieved youths who allegedly accused party leaders of attempting to manipulate the process.
According to residents, tension intensified when some government officials who had arrived to observe the exercise reportedly attempted to leave the venue after realizing that returning officers were still absent.
This move reportedly angered the protesting youths, who blocked the road and insisted that no official would leave the community until the electoral officers arrived to conduct the primary election.
A resident, Ibrahim Sale, told Daily Trust that the protesters became increasingly agitated as hours passed without any clear explanation from party authorities.
“The exercise was supposed to hold on Saturday morning, but it didn’t take place because of the absence of returning officers,” he said.
“So the youths started protesting, alleging that the delay was deliberate.”
Sale further explained that the confrontation escalated after security personnel moved in to disperse the crowd.
“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,” he stated.
Witnesses alleged that Sani Abdullahi was struck during the gunfire and died on the spot, throwing the entire community into panic and confusion as residents ran for safety.
The killing has since sparked outrage among residents and party supporters, with many condemning the use of force and demanding an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Some angry youths reportedly accused political actors of turning internal party primaries into battlefields, warning that the growing desperation for power ahead of the 2027 general elections could plunge communities into deeper violence if urgent measures are not taken.
The incident has also renewed concerns over insecurity, political intimidation, and militarization of electoral activities in parts of the country as parties intensify preparations for future elections.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Plateau State Government nor the leadership of the APC had issued an official statement regarding the killing. Security agencies have also remained silent over allegations that soldiers fired live ammunition at protesters.