4 feared killed as security operatives open fire on residents resisting demolition in Kano
At least four residents have allegedly been killed by security operatives at Rimin Zakara, Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State after they reportedly resisted demolition of their houses.
It was gathered that the incident occurred when the operatives stormed the area on Sunday to demolish the structures, allegedly developed on the lands belonging to Bayero University Kano, BUK.
This newspaper also gathered that the demolished structures, most of which were under construction, were marked by Kano Urban Planning and Development Authority, KNUPDA, for demolition as they were alleged to be illegally acquired.
A resident of the area who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity said the incident happened following a clash between the residents and the security operatives deployed to guard the taskforce responsible for the demolition exercise.
According to him, his property was affected, claiming that they acquired the land legally after getting approval from the KNUPDA and Ministry of Land.
“I was even returning home after closing my shop, I received a call that my house that is about to be completed has been demolished.
“I became devastated on hearing the sad news because I am getting married in a few months time.
“When I reached the area, I saw armed security agents clashing with some residents of the area. I was even chased by some thugs sponsored to also give cover to the taskforce that is carrying out the demolishing.
“They pursued me until I nearly escaped. Following the resistance, the security operatives opened fire at the people, hitting six with bullets, two died instantly, while the remaining two died later in the hospital.
“We accuse KNUPDA of wrongdoing because they did not issue any notice from them. We are in a difficult situation,” he said.
When contacted, a senior official at KNUPDA, exonerated the agency of carrying out the demolition exercise.
The official, who preferred to be anonymous, said: “the demolition exercise was not carried out by us,” he simply said.
When contacted also, an official at the state’s Ministry of Land, who also pleaded for anonymity said it was not the ministry that conducted the demolition exercise.
He also said the government would soon make its position on the matter known to the public.
On its part, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Kano Command, Ibrahim Abdullahi, confirmed the incident, saying security operatives opened fire after hoodlums attacked their personnel.
He told newsmen in Kano on Monday that the security operatives were deployed to safeguard the government personnel conducting the demolition exercise but met stiff resistance by thugs.
He said the residents attacked the security operatives, injured one of the officers and damage their vehicles.
