POLITICAL THUGS IN BLOODY CLASH AT GOMBE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Political thugs belonging to two different camps engaged themselves in a bloody clash at the Gombe International Airport . The thugs, popularly known as 'Kalare', were at the airport to welcome some prominent politicians eyeing the House of Representatives in the 2011 general elections, when a fight broke out among them.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who visited the airport located in Lawanti village, 30km from Gombe metropolis, reported that many of the people involved in the fight sustained serious injuries.

An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that machetes, knives and cutlasses were freely used during the encounter that lasted for about 20 minutes.

'They clashed among themselves, with three of them seriously injured. After the encounter, they took away their casualties and left,' the source added.

A security agent at the airport, who also did not want his name revealed, confirmed the incident, adding that it was not the first time such bloody encounter was taking place at the airport. Efforts to get the airport manager for his comments failed and no other staff was willing to be quoted on the incident.

Contacted for his comments on phone, Gombe State Police Command's spokesman, DSP Abdullahi Kamba, told NAN that he was yet to receive formal report on the matter. 'I have not been to the office as such I am not aware of the incident. But the report may have reached the command. Let's see on Monday,' said he.