Thugs supporting Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani have assaulted a member of the All Progressives Congress, Abdul-Majeed Al Mustapha,  commonly known as Dan-Bilki Komanda, for allegedly insulting the governor.

On Thursday, a video surfaced on social media showing Mr Komanda in handcuffs as he was severely beaten by individuals who frowned at his criticisms of Mr Sani.

The exact time and location of the incident remain unverified by Peoples Gazette. Both Komanda and his assailants spoke in Hausa in the video.

In the video, one of the assailants is heard accusing Komanda of insulting Mr Sani, asking him, “Why are you insulting Governor Uba Sani? Are you from Kaduna? as he is struck repeatedly, ordering Komanda to “kneel down.”

In response, Komanda said, “I’m not from Kaduna, I’m from Kano. I’m a northerner. I’m a Nigerian. I did not insult Mr Sani,” while pleading with his attackers to cease the violence.

Komanda, speaking in Hausa in another video, said, “I’m quite sure the boys were sent to beat me. They said they had been following me, and in the end, they found me, handcuffed me and beat the hell out of me. They gave me a phone to speak to Governor Uba Sani, and I said no, I would not speak to him.”

The footage has elicited widespread criticism directed at Mr Sani, although his administration has publicly disavowed the attackers’ actions.

In a statement released on Thursday, Kaduna State government spokesperson Muhammad Lawal-Shehu addressed the incident, saying: “The attention of the Kaduna State government has been drawn to a video that has gone viral showing one Dan-Bilki Komanda being whipped by unidentified persons. In the video, accusations were levelled at the Kaduna State government.”

“The Kaduna State government wishes to strongly disassociate itself from this heinous act. It is not in our character. Such barbaric acts have no place in a decent society.”