LAFIA — The Nasarawa State Police Command has officially confirmed the arrest of Dadda’u Mamuda, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lafia Local Government Area, following a series of inflammatory remarks and alleged death threats directed at members of the force. The arrest, which took place over the weekend, has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of the state, highlighting the increasingly volatile nature of intra-party disputes as the 2027 election cycle begins to take shape.
According to formal reports from the state command, Mamuda was apprehended after intelligence surfaced regarding a viral address he delivered to a gathering of political supporters. In the heat of a burgeoning leadership tussle within the ruling party, the chieftain was accused of threatening to kill any police officer who attempted to arrest or detain political activists and supporters associated with his specific faction. The threats were reportedly issued in the context of a domestic political dispute that has seen tensions rise between different camps within the Nasarawa APC.
Dadda’u Mamuda is widely recognized in the state as a staunch political associate and influential lieutenant of Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, the former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and a heavyweight governorship aspirant in Nasarawa State. The connection to a former head of the national police force has added a layer of irony and significant public interest to the case, given that the suspect is accused of inciting violence against the very institution his principal once led.
Police sources familiar with the investigation revealed that the incident occurred during a strategic meeting where Mamuda was addressing a crowd of supporters loyal to the former IGP. Witnesses claim that Mamuda’s rhetoric turned aggressive when discussing the role of law enforcement in political disagreements. He allegedly vowed that any officer involved in the "harassment" or arrest of their foot soldiers would face lethal consequences. Such remarks are viewed by the police hierarchy as a direct assault on the rule of law and an attempt to intimidate officers into dereliction of duty.
Beyond the threats against the police, Mamuda’s address also delved into the contentious issue of the 2027 governorship succession in Nasarawa State. The suspect reportedly utilized the platform to launch a scathing verbal attack on Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, the lawmaker representing the Nasarawa West Senatorial District. Mamuda allegedly told the gathered crowd that no person "with integrity" would support Senator Wadada’s ambition to succeed the incumbent, Governor Abdullahi Sule, in the next general election.
Senator Wadada, a former member of the House of Representatives and a major political player in the state, is widely considered one of the leading contenders for the Government House in 2027. Mamuda’s comments reflect the deep-seated animosity and factionalization currently plaguing the APC in Nasarawa, as different power blocs begin to jostle for position and influence ahead of the party’s future primaries.
The Nasarawa State Police Command has maintained a firm stance on the matter, emphasizing that no individual, regardless of their political standing or affiliations, is above the law. A senior police officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to address the media formally, confirmed on Saturday that Mamuda was in custody and undergoing interrogation.
"The Command will not tolerate any form of incitement against our officers. Threatening the life of a policeman for performing his constitutional duties is a capital offense against the state. We are committed to maintaining neutrality in political matters, but we will not be intimidated or blackmailed by any politician or their associates," the officer stated.
The source further confirmed that the investigative team has gathered substantial evidence, including digital recordings of the alleged remarks, to build a robust case against the APC chieftain. The police have concluded preliminary investigations and are prepared to bring the suspect before a court of competent jurisdiction. The arraignment is scheduled for Monday morning in Lafia.
The arrest has generated significant debate among residents and political analysts in Nasarawa. While some see it as a necessary step to curb the growing trend of political thuggery and hate speech, others within Mamuda’s camp have described the arrest as "politically motivated," suggesting that it is an attempt to weaken the former IGP’s political structure in the state. However, the police have dismissed these claims, insisting that the arrest is strictly a criminal matter centered on public safety and the protection of law enforcement personnel.
As the state awaits the court appearance on Monday, there are concerns that this incident could further inflame the rivalry between the supporters of Mohammed Abubakar Adamu and Senator Ahmed Wadada. The APC leadership in the state has yet to issue an official statement regarding the arrest of its member, but insiders suggest that the party is currently in a "damage control" mode to prevent the situation from spiraling into a full-blown crisis.
The 2027 governorship race in Nasarawa is already proving to be a high-stakes battle, and this latest development serves as a grim reminder of how quickly political rhetoric can cross the line into criminality. The outcome of Monday’s court session will likely set a precedent for how the state handles political actors who use threats of violence to advance their parochial interests.
For now, Dadda’u Mamuda remains in detention, and the security presence around the command headquarters in Lafia has been visibly bolstered to prevent any potential protests or attempts by his supporters to interfere with the judicial process.
Does the information regarding the suspect’s connection to the former IGP provide enough context for your understanding of the political weight of this arrest, or would you like to explore the history of the rivalry between the Wadada and Adamu factions in Nasarawa?
