A man identified as Sani Abdullahi, a resident of Kasuwan Ali community in Mangu Local Government Area, has died after a shooting incident at the venue of the All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) primary election for a House of Representatives seat in Plateau State.
Eyewitness accounts say the incident followed tensions over delays in starting the exercise, which was expected to begin earlier but did not hold as scheduled due to the absence of returning officers.
According to Ibrahim Sale, a resident who witnessed the events, frustration grew among party members and youths who believed the delay was intentional. The situation escalated into a protest at the venue in Mangu Local Government Area.
Sale said some government officials who arrived to observe the process left the venue after it became clear that electoral officials were not present. At that point, a group of youths reportedly blocked the road to prevent their departure, insisting that the election should proceed immediately.
Security personnel were later deployed to disperse the crowd after the confrontation intensified. Witnesses said stones were thrown as the situation deteriorated. Soldiers responded with gunfire, during which Abdullahi was hit by a stray bullet.
Residents in the area described the incident as chaotic and have called for a formal investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and establish accountability.
