EFCC operatives fire teargas at El-Rufai’s supporters in Abuja
By OUR REPORTER, Abuja
An African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain also present at the scene of incident, Lauretta Onochie, also commented on the unfortunate development as she took to her Facebook social media to announce the teargasing by the EFCC operatives, an attitude many said would never happened under Tinubu’s immediate predecessor Muhammadu Buhari.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday dispersed supporters of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, with tear gas as he arrived at the commission’s Abuja office to honour an invitation.
Eyewitnesses said a crowd of supporters had gathered at the premises when security personnel fired tear gas canisters to disperse them. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries at the time of filing this report.
El-Rufai’s appearance at the anti-graft agency follows renewed scrutiny by the commission.
Supporters at the scene alleged that previous investigations had not resulted in charges, describing the latest move as politically motivated. Some linked the development to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Office of the National Security Adviser, headed by Nuhu Ribadu.
However, no official statement from the presidency or the NSA’s office confirming such claims had been issued as of press time.
A supporter who spoke to journalists at the scene criticised the government’s actions, alleging intimidation of opposition figures despite the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) holding a majority of elective positions nationwide. The supporter also referenced internal party membership figures, though these claims could not be independently verified.
“All of these are happening as the president and his ruling party’s fear and jiltery persist despite its acclaimed ownership of 30 state governors, over 70 of 109 senators, over 300 of 360 members of House of Representatives,” a supporter at the scene of the EFCC drama told our reporter in Abuja on Monday.
He added that, “What could have hurt the president and his party more is when it came their notice that even they have lost more members as recent report said APC membership had ripped from 41 million to 10 million by their just concluded e-registration of the party.”
An African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain also present at the scene of incident, Lauretta Onochie, also commented on the unfortunate development as she took to her Facebook social media to announce the teargasing by the EFCC operatives, an attitude many said would never happened under Tinubu’s immediate predecessor Muhammadu Buhari.
She confirmed that teargas was fired at the gathering and described the development as unfortunate. She further stated that shifting winds blew some of the tear gas back toward the operatives.
Onochie said, “Tear-Gas galore, at the EFCC where we accompanied Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to answer an invitation.
“But each time they shot canisters of teargas at us, the wind blew the gas in their direction.
“Who says God is not in Nigeria!!!
God bless Nigeria.”
CLICK HERE TO WATCH EFCC TEARGASING EL-RUFAI’S SUPPORTERS
As of the time of this report, the EFCC had not released an official statement explaining the circumstances that led to the use of tear gas.
