The leadership crisis rocking the Bauchi State House of Assembly has taken a frightening dimension as some lawmakers on Monday escaped death by the whiskers as thugs attacked them at their Lodge in Bauchi.
The incident happened on Monday at about 4:00 pm after police surrounded the premises of the House following report that arsonists planned to burn down the complex.
A group of lawmakers, believed to be the one agitating for a change of leadership, was having a meeting when the hoodlums attacked them.
At least six vehicles were destroyed by the invaders who also smashed window glasses of the lodge they were having their meeting.
One of those injured was honourable Ado Wakili, the member respresenting Burra constituency in Ningi Local Government Area.
“They were over 50 who attacked us and were carrying guns, sticks and matchetes,” he recalled.
Wakili said they were terrified and made for the exit door to save their lives and in the process he bumped his face on the wall and was badly hurt.
Former Speaker of the State Assembly, Honourable Kawuwa Damina was also one of those that were injured.
“They hit me with sticks and even attempted to stab me,” Kawuwa, whose car rear glass was broken, said.
A security guard in the lodge which pleaded anonymity,said he and his colleagues took to their heels on sighting the dangerously armed hoodlums making their way to the lodge.
“We had to run for our dear lives because we stand no chance against them,” he said.
The sad incident is coming after police took over the State Assembly following report that hoodlums planned to raze it in Monday morning.
The House has been embroiled in leadership crisis and few days ago, 22 members led by passed a vote of confidence on the Speaker Abubakar Suleiman and principal officers of the House.
Majority leader of the House, Honourable Babale Abubakar Dambam,who led 22 members to pass a vote no confidence of the House, was with the lawmakers during the attack.
Dambam said some of them were on their way to the House on Monday morning when information reached them warning them of an impending attack at the complex.
He said they had to make a U-turn and police acting on intelligent report later surrounded the State Assembly complex.
Dambam explained that the Special Adviser on State and National Assembly Laison to Bauchi State Governor, Sani Mohammed Burra, had just left them at the lodge minutes later when the hoodlums attacked.
“One of the held me by the necked and asked if l was still a leader in the house. He said they were ready to kill me. Six members were injured in the process. Some were taken to the hospital and l believe they would be fine.
“It was a scary situation. It is sad,” he said.
Dambam said the matter had been reported to the State Commissioner of Police.
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He said the attack was not unconnected with the vote of confidence passed on the Speaker and principal leaders of the House.
He denied the speculation that the Speaker and Principal members have been impeached.
When asked if he suspected any individual or group behind the attack, Dambam said the Special Adviser Burra can explain why the lawmakers were attacked moments after he left them.