Residents and supporters of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State have accused the state government of abducting a prominent party youth leader, rejecting claims that he was kidnapped by bandits.
In a press statement signed by Dr. Ado Usman Charanci, the Northwest coordinator of an APC support group, residents alleged that Ambassador Bashir Isa Gusau, the Tinubu/Shettima Youths Coordinator for Zamfara State, was abducted and detained by agents linked to the state government led by Gov. Dauda Lawal of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Reports from Gusau, the state capital, had earlier suggested that Isa Gusau was kidnapped by suspected bandits who have carried out frequent attacks across Zamfara and neighboring states. However, residents disputed that account, insisting the incident was politically motivated.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said more than 30 armed men stormed Isa Gusau’s residence late at night and took him away in the presence of his wife, throwing the neighborhood into confusion.
“After the incident, we contacted the police headquarters in Gusau, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, only to discover that Isa Gusau was nowhere to be found in their custody,” the source said.
The statement said suspicions were heightened by what residents described as a pattern of arrests and detention of APC members by state authorities since the PDP assumed power in Zamfara.
Residents alleged that Isa Gusau was taken by unidentified security operatives believed to be attached to the Government House in Gusau and detained at an undisclosed location. They called on the DSS, Defence Intelligence Agency, police and other security agencies to immediately investigate his whereabouts.
“We warn the Zamfara State government to stop the intimidation and persecution of innocent APC supporters in the state, including the alleged use of security operatives to arrest and detain people unjustly,” the statement said.
Isa Gusau is a senior APC youth mobiliser in the Northwest and a prominent supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. He played a key role in youth mobilisation during the Tinubu-Shettima presidential campaign and remains active in promoting the party’s political programs in the region, according to the statement.
Family members were said to be in distress and unable to obtain official information from security agencies regarding his location. The statement alleged that he may be held in one of the guest houses within the Government House complex in Gusau, though no official confirmation was provided.
Officials of the Zamfara State government and security agencies were not immediately available for comment.
The statement was electronically signed by Dr. Ado Usman Charanci, APC Support Group Northwest coordinator.