Amnesty International Nigeria (AIN) has condemned the killing of at least four people during a violent eviction carried out by the Kano State Government in Rimin Auzinawa, located in the Ungogo Local Government Area.
In a statement signed by the Amnesty Country Director Isa Sanusi, a copy of which was made available to the press in Kano, AIN expressed its outrage over the incident.
The body, however, described the eviction as “ruthless” and part of a pattern of forced displacements in Nigeria that violate international law.
The organisation said, “Today’s ruthless forced eviction is just the most recent example of a practice that has been going on in Nigeria for decades — in complete violation of international law.”
The body criticized the government’s handling of the eviction, stating that the victims—primarily poor residents—lost their homes, livelihoods, and, in some tragic cases, their lives.
The statement asserted, “The Kano State Government must halt these attacks on poor communities, who are suffering as a result of the state’s decades of failures in urban planning.”
It also mentioned, “The chaotic scenes and threats from security forces to set fire to people’s homes have instilled fear and panic in the community.”
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According to Amnesty International, the eviction was conducted without proper consultation, adequate prior notice, compensation, or alternative housing options, which violates Nigeria’s international legal obligations.
The body added “Using lethal force to render people who are already destitute homeless is a form of crude cruelty. State violence against the poor must end.”
It will be recalled “Residents of Rimin Auzinawa expressed outrage, calling the eviction inhumane and an abuse of power.
“We were not given any notice. They just came and destroyed our homes. Now, we have nowhere to go,” said one affected resident.
Amnesty International called on the Kano State Government to stop forced evictions and respect the rights of vulnerable communities.
However, the state government, while reacting to the issue, said it was not happy about the loss of lives that occurred in the incident.
However, the state Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Waiya, made this known and disclosed that the state government would set up an investigative committee to unravel the circumstances that led to the violent clash.
But, he quickly added that it was on record that the Institution way back 40 years ago had paid compensation to those who owned the plot of land been encroached upon.
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