Four persons are feared dead at Rimin Auzinawa, Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State, following a violent confrontation between residents and security operatives during a demolition exercise by the state government.
The victims were allegedly shot dead when security operatives opened fire following resistance against destruction of their property.
Some sources revealed that, the Kano Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA) had previously marked the affected structures, about 40 residential buildings under construction, for demolition.
More so, sources also confirmed that the disputed land is reportedly owned by the Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
A resident affected by the demolition, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that KNUPDA had earlier resolved the matter, confirming that the property was not part of the BUK land insisting that they have not intruded.
“We resolved all issues with KNUPDA. They assured us our properties were not within BUK land. But on Sunday night, officials of KNUPDA and security operatives arrived and demolished the buildings.
“When people resisted, security forces opened fire, killing four individuals who have now been buried. It’s a tragic situation,” the source said.
Efforts to obtain an official response from KNUPDA were unsuccessful, as the agency’s managing director was unreachable. When our correspondent visited the KNUPDA office, it appeared largely deserted, with a staff member attributing the absence of key officials to fear of reprisals.
“There is tension in the office. That’s why the car parks are empty and no senior officials are present. Only junior staff are here, with no clear directive on what to do,” the official said.
A senior KNUPDA director, the only high-ranking official available, denied the agency’s involvement in the demolition, stating that it was carried out by a task force from the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning.
An official from the ministry, also speaking anonymously, confirmed that the land belongs to BUK and assured that the government would soon issue an official statement.