Four persons have been reportedly killed in Rimin Auzinawa, Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State, following a clash between residents of the area and security operatives during a demolition exercise.
The victims were allegedly shot dead when security personnel opened fire after residents resisted the destruction of their buildings.
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The eye witness told The Punch Kano Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA) had previously marked the affected buildings mostly residential buildings under construction for demolition.
The affected buildings were said to be about 40 while the disputed land belongs to Bayero University, Kano.
A resident affected by the demolition who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the Punch in a telephone interview, that Kano Urban Property Development Authority had initially cleared the properties, confirming they were not within the university’s land.
“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.
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Efforts to obtain an official response from KNUPDA were unsuccessful, as effort to contact the agency’s Managing Director proved abortive as his mobile phone was switched off.
Meanwhile, KNUPDA office had been deserted while most of the officials were alleged to have gone into hiding for fear of being attacked by the aggrieved residents of the area.
When contacted the Public Relations officer of Kano State police command, SP Abdullahi Haruna confirmed the incident.
He, however directed the Punch to contact the PRO of the State command of NSCDC.
When contacted, the Public Relations officer of the NSCDC Kano State command, Ibrahim Abdullahial also confirmed the incident but declined to confirm the number of casualties or injured persons.
He, however explained that representatives of the police, DSS and NSCDC were invited to provide security at the demolition sites.
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“There were representatives of the police, DSS and NSCDC who were invited to provide security. But our people acted professionally and when the situation degenerated they tactfully withdrew.
“The residents who were not happy about the demolition, started stoning security operatives who were there to provide security,” he added
