No fewer than eight persons died yesterday in Wukari town, Taraba State as violence broke out following the judgment of Elections Petitions Tribunal which nullified the election of Governor Darius Ishaku.
The tribunal, sitting in Abuja, on Saturday quashed the election of Gov. Darius Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and declared Sen. Aisha Alhassan of the All Progressives Congress, APC, winner of the poll.
Some touts were said to have taken advantage of the anti-ruling protests to unleash mayhem while some residents fled their homes to the bush for safety. Gunshots also rent the air earlier in the day before the deployment of security agents to restore order.
Former Vice Chairman of Wukari Local Government Council, Alhaji Tanimu Danlele, said at least eight people lost their lives and more than 30 others were injured in the crisis.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Joseph Kwaji, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), yesterday, in Jalingo that the crisis broke out in the early hours of Sunday.
He said that though the police had not concluded their investigations, the crisis might not be unconnected with the ruling of the tribunal.
“Yes there was crisis in Wukari, but it is under control now. Security men have been deployed to the area and normalcy has returned to the town.
“Investigation is ongoing but it is likely that the crisis is in connection with the verdict of the governorship election petition tribunal of Saturday,” he said.
The command’s image maker, who said that figure of casualty had not been ascertained by the police, warned the people not to take the laws into their hands.
He said the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Shaba Alkali, had moved to the area to ensure that peace was restored. He warned that the command would come hard on anyone bent on fomenting trouble in any part of the state over the verdict of the tribunal under any guise.
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