Angry Youths Attack Gassol 1 Lawmaker Over Poor Performance

 

Panic erupted in Gassol town, headquarters of Gassol Local Government Area, on Saturday, 7th February 2026, when irate youths attacked the convoy of Hon. Abdullahi Muwalid, narrowly averting a lynching.

The youths, protesting alleged neglect and poor performance, blocked the road chanting "no second term," and vandalised vehicles in his entourage.

The incident reportedly stemmed from allegations of poor performance and misrepresentation by the lawmaker, who represents Gassol I Constituency in the Taraba State House of Assembly. Hon. Muwalid was in Gassol to attend the wedding of a political associate when the visit turned violent.

According to eyewitnesses, the youths, armed with sticks and stones, had allegedly been tracking the lawmaker to embarrass him or end his political career. Shortly after he arrived, the mob descended on his convoy, smashing several vehicles and forcing him to flee for safety. One vehicle was reportedly destroyed beyond repair, although no injuries were recorded.

"His rescue was as a result of the intervention of soldiers and police operatives who responded to a distress call and escorted him out of Gassol town," an eyewitness said.

Residents said the youths were chanting "Ba tazarce, Ba tazarce"—meaning no second term for Hon. Muwalid—and accused him of neglecting the constituency, failing to address complaints, and not initiating any bills or impactful projects since his election over two years ago.

Multiple sources revealed that the lawmaker had previously sent aides to appeal to youth leaders, seeking a peaceful passage to the wedding. Initially, the youths appeared receptive but later mobilized in large numbers, blocked the only exit route, and ambushed the convoy on the outskirts of the town.

"The anger has been building for a long time; they feel abandoned and used only during elections," an eyewitness added.

Security operatives eventually dispersed the crowd and escorted the lawmaker to safety, bringing the tense situation under control.

Attempts to reach Hon. Muwalid or his aides for comment were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. Efforts to contact the Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Victor Mshelizah, to confirm the incident also failed.