Four people tragically died during a demolition exercise on Sunday night in the village of Rimin Zakara in Kano State’s Ungogo local government area.
Officials from the State’s Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, accompanied by security guards, arrived at the scene at around 10 p.m. to demolish more than 40 properties, according to witnesses.
Residents fiercely opposed the action, and a violent altercation resulted. According to reports, security personnel opened fire during the resulting chaos, instantly killing two people.
Two others, who had severe injuries, were sent to the hospital.
Witnessing the demolition, Ishaq Mohammad, a landowner, called the scene devastating. He said they approach abruptly and begin wrecking their homes. Shots were fired as the situation worsened when people protested.
Ibrahim Abdullahi, the State’s Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident and said that security forces were sent to guard government property but were attacked.
Although it failed to provide any information, the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning acknowledged that Bayero University Kano (BUK) owns the contested land on which buildings were constructed.
But according to ministry officials, a public statement on the subject would be released shortly.
Locals refuted the ministry’s assertions, stating that the properties were not on university property and that KNUPDA had already cleared them.