From: Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri

A member of the Borno State House of Assembly has been hospitalised after he was beaten to stupor by angry youths in his constituency in the southern part of the state over alleged political interest ahead 2019 electioneering.

Daily Sun learnt that a clash among supporters of two major politicians in Kwaya Kusar Local Government Area, both of whom are members of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) snowballed into a free-for-all.

Sources said Hon. Sale Banga, who represent Kwaya Kusar State Constituency at the Borno State House of Assembly, was attacked by some irate youths believed to be loyal to another politician currently representing the area at the House of Representatives for allegedly “daring to show interest” in contesting the House of Representatives seat in 2019.

“The House of Assembly member, Hon Sale Mohammed Banga came to monitor the voters registration exercise going on in our area when some youths started shouting and chanting hate songs. Thereafter, a clash ensued among the supporters of the house member and that of the federal House of Representatives, Hon Muktar Betara. In the process, some political thugs descended on Banga and beat him to a coma. He was rushed to the hospital immediately,” a youth leader in the area who preferred anonymity told Daily Sun.

The source said the legislator was on admission at an undisclosed hospital in neighbouring Gombe State. Kwaya Kusar in the southern part of Borno State shares border with Gombe and Adamawa states.

Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, Damian Chukwu confirmed the incident. He said the incident occurred during the flag off of INEC Voters’ Registration exercise in the local government area.

“During INEC Voter’s’ Reg Flag Off at the Local Government Area Headquarters, Kwaya-Kusar, tugs attacked the  honourable member representing the  Local Government Area. He was taken to Gen Hospital Gombe, where he is said to be responding to treatment,” the CP disclosed in a short message to Daily Sun. He said investigatn was ongoing even as he did not state id any suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack.