Tension erupted in Dansadau, Zamfara State, on Tuesday after a member of the House of Representatives was attacked by residents who accused him of neglecting the community.
Eyewitnesses said the lawmaker was confronted by an angry crowd, physically assaulted and pulled to the ground as frustration boiled over. Footage circulating online shows security operatives struggling to protect him while the crowd pushed and slapped him from different directions.
Throughout the incident, voices from the crowd could be heard shouting “bamayi,” a Hausa word commonly used to signal rejection, reflecting the depth of anger toward the representative.
Residents claimed their anger had been building for months, alleging that the lawmaker distanced himself from the area after winning the election. They said repeated calls for development projects, empowerment schemes and regular engagement were ignored.
The situation was eventually brought under control when security personnel forced the crowd back and rushed the shaken lawmaker into a vehicle before leaving the area.
At the time of reporting, the identity of the legislator had not been officially disclosed, and there has been no public response from either the Nigeria Police Force or the House of Representatives.
The incident has also renewed concerns among lawmakers following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to withdraw police escorts assigned to VIPs, a policy some officials argue leaves them exposed to attacks.
Do you think resorting to violence is the right way for constituents to express dissatisfaction with their representatives? Share your opinion in the comments.
