Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, was the target of a near-violent mob attack on Tuesday while visiting the palace of the District Head of Dutsi in his home state of Katsina.
The intervention of aides and security operatives was reportedly crucial in preventing the situation from escalating into a full-blown assault on the former minister.
Videos shared by Katsina City News depicted the rapidly rising tensions. In one clip, a man was seen being roughly pulled out of the palace amid loud shouts from the angry crowd. The individual was then hurried into a Honda car and driven away.
Sirika, who served as Minister in the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari, holds a traditional title of Marusan Katsina and serves as the district head of Shargalle in Dutsi Local Government. He was reportedly at the palace on a condolence visit when the incident occurred.
While the exact reason for the crowd’s anger remains unclear in the immediate reports, the incident is highly notable given Sirika’s ongoing legal battles.
The former minister has been facing significant public scrutiny and is currently being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged fraud in multiple cases.
He is charged alongside his daughter, son-in-law, and their company, Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, over a contract for the Katsina Airport apron extension, which EFCC alleges violated the ICPC Act.
He is separately charged alongside his brother and two companies for abuse of office and criminal breach of trust related to contracts, including the construction of a terminal building and a fire truck maintenance centre at Katsina Airport.