A land dispute in the Kuchibuyi community of Bwari Area Council, Abuja, has left one person dead and two others, including a religious leader, injured after police opened fire during a standoff.
The victim, 28-year-old Attahiru Abubakar, was the son of Abubakar Yaqub, Chief Imam of the Kuchibuyi community. His brother, Abass, was also shot and is currently receiving treatment. Their father, the Chief Imam, was reportedly shot as well.
According to the PUNCH, the incident happened on Saturday when police officers responded to a call over a land dispute in the area.
According to the FCT Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, officers were deployed to control a civil disturbance.
“The FCT Police Command received a distress call regarding a civil unrest incident stemming from a land dispute at Kuchibuyi,” she said in a statement on Saturday. She added that arrests were made and investigations were ongoing.
Adeh also stated that the situation was not caused by the police, and condemned residents who allegedly attacked security personnel.
“The Commissioner of Police strongly condemns the actions of youths attacking police officers who were on a mission to restore law and order,” she said.
But the family and other residents have challenged this version.
Speaking to journalist, the deceased’s brother, Sanusi Abubakar, claimed the police acted on the orders of an estate developer who wanted to seize community land.
“There was one estate manager who wanted to take over a large portion of the community land without our knowledge. He arrived with some soldiers and vigilantes. Later, he called the police,” Sanusi said.
He added, “After some boys blocked the road and it seemed resolved, the police and task force returned and started shooting. My brother Attahiru was shot dead on the spot. My second brother, Abass, was also hit. Our father, the Chief Imam, was also shot.”
Another eyewitness who asked not to be named supported the family’s claims and said the police were trying to hide what happened.
“They didn’t mention that three people were shot—two sons of the Chief Imam and the Imam himself. Attahiru died instantly from a gunshot to the chest while his brother is in the hospital in Bwari,” the witness said.
