Demolition: Four feared dead after clash with security operatives in Kano

Four people have been killed at Rimin Auzinawa, Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State, following a violent clash with security operatives over the demolition of properties carried out around 10 p.m. on Sunday night.

An eyewitness, who preferred to remain anonymous, disclosed that the victims were reportedly shot dead by security personnel after residents resisted the demolition of their buildings.

A reliable source added that the demolished structures—mostly residential buildings under construction, estimated to be around 40—had previously been marked by the Kano Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA).

According to the source, “The land in question is said to belong to Bayero University, Kano (BUK).”

A resident affected by the demolition, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that KNUPDA had earlier cleared the properties, confirming they were not on university land.

He emphasized, “We resolved all issues with KNUPDA. They assured us that our properties were not within BUK land.”

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He then disclosed, “But on Sunday night, around 10 p.m., officials of KNUPDA and security operatives arrived and demolished the buildings.”

He added, “When people resisted, security forces opened fire, killing four individuals, who have now been buried. It’s a tragic situation.”

All efforts to get a comment from KNUPDA were unsuccessful, as the agency’s Managing Director was unreachable.

When our correspondent visited KNUPDA’s office, it was found largely deserted, with a junior staff member attributing the absence of key officials to fear of reprisal attacks.

He stated, “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.”

A senior KNUPDA director, the only high-ranking official available, insisted that the demolition was not carried out by KNUPDA but rather by a task force from the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning.

However, an official from the ministry, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the land belongs to Bayero University and assured that the government would issue an official statement later in the day.

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