Security details attached to the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Ramatu Tijani Aliyu, plummeted a journalist and the security men at the All Progressives Congress national secretariat
According to The Punch, Tijani arrived at the secretariat on Thursday amid heavy security blaring sirens
Rancour erupted when the minister’s security detail slapped the chief security officer securing the main gate of the APC secretariat for delaying in ordering his ‘boys’ to open the gate when Tijani stepped out of the premises.
The aggressor’s action triggered other security men in the secretariat who rose to the defence of their principal.
Without remorse, the minister’s security detail threatened to open fire on the aggrieved police officers if they fail to retreat.
As both security details clash, the conflict degenerated into a hostile agitation leading to traffic gridlock that began at the party Secretariat to Blantyre Street, leaving motorists stranded.
Amidst the hoopla, a Nigeria Television Authority staff, Mohammed Baba, assigned to cover the event at the APC secretariat was caught in the fuss between the opposing sides.
Baba was mauled for daring to record the chaos by the minister’s security detail who started the fight, even after identifying himself as a broadcast journalist sent to cover the event.
The NTA newshound was manhandled to the point that his ‘Babariga’ was left in tatters.
However, the APC press corp and other security men at the gate refuted affronted efforts to seize his phone and camera by the minister’s security details.
Tijani watched in his car as the drama unfold, allowing his security details, threaten to tear down the secretariat if anybody challenged them.
Upon sighting other journalists finding their way into the scene, the minister told his security men to retreat to the convoy, where they finally drove out recklessly, scaring onlookers and passersby.
The National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka could not be reached to comment on the issue at press time.
He has yet to answer his calls nor respond to clarification requests by newshounds on the matter.
