At least five persons were injured over the weekend when some youths suspected to be political thugs stormed the house of Nigeria’s former Minister of Commerce, Bello Maitama and vandalized two of his official vehicles and that of the Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Isa Idris.

Mr. Maitama, who served under the military regime of Ibrahim Babangida was chairing a reconciliation meeting with aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at his residence in Gwaram Local Government Area of the state when the thugs reportedly disrupted the meeting in and attempted to lynch him.

Reports say it took the combined efforts of the security personnel stationed at his residence to disperse the youths before whisking Maitama and Idris away through a rear exit but their vehicles were not spared.

Recall that the Jigawa State governor, Mohammad Badaru had constituted a reconciliation committee to bring together all aggrieved members of the party in the state.

Confirming the incident, the Jigawa State Police spokesperson, Audu Jinjiri however downplayed the situation, saying that it was just a fight between political thugs after they met the ex-minister.

Jinjiri however disclosed that five persons were injured during the fracas and are currently receiving treatment while ten suspects have so far be arrested in connection with the incidence.