Security agents have allegedly shot and killed four persons and injured 16 others during a demolition exercise carried out by the Kano State Government at Rimin Zakara, near Bayero University, Kano, in Ungogo Local Government Area.
SolaceBase reports that the demolition, which affected over 18 structures, reportedly took place on Sunday night.
According to residents, the exercise was met with resistance due to the lack of prior notice served on them.
An eyewitness, Mallam Sunusi Dan-Baba, told SolaceBase that the demolition team arrived late at night, catching residents off guard.
He explained that the dispute over the land between Bayero University Kano and the residents had been ongoing for over 20 years.
“This incident happened around 8:30 p.m. when officials from the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning arrived in our area and began demolishing our shops and houses. They claimed that the land belongs to Bayero University, which is not true,” Dan-Baba said.
“As I am speaking to you now, four persons have been killed by security agents, and we buried them this morning,” he added.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Kano Command, Ibrahim Abdullahi, confirmed the incident.
He stated that security personnel including the NSCDC were deployed to the area to protect government property and were met with hostility.
“We went there to provide security and safeguard government properties. However, the residents attacked our personnel, injured one of our officers, and damaged our vehicles,” Abdullahi said.
Meanwhile, the Director of Media and Publicity at the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, Umar Abdu Kurmawa, defended the demolition, stating that the land belongs to Bayero University and that the government had all the necessary legal documents before proceeding with the exercise.
“We issued prior notice before carrying out the demolition, and in fact, all affected persons had been compensated over 20 years ago. The land belongs to Bayero University, and we had to proceed with the demolition because the occupants refused to vacate,” Kurmawa said.
The incident has sparked outrage among residents, who are demanding investigation to the killing of the residents and clarification regarding the ownership of the disputed land.
All efforts to speak to Bayero University, Kano, Director, Public Affairs, Malam Lamara Garba was not successful as his phone was switched off.
(SOLACEBASE)
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