A violent confrontation between security operatives and residents of Rimin Auzinawa, Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State, has reportedly led to the death of four people.
The clash erupted following the demolition of structures allegedly built on land belonging to Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
Witnesses claim security personnel opened fire on protesters resisting the demolition, resulting in multiple casualties. The demolished buildings, estimated at around 40, were mostly residential structures under construction.
A resident affected by the demolition, speaking anonymously, alleged that the Kano Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA) had previously assured them that their properties were not on BUK land.
“We resolved all issues with KNUPDA. They assured us our properties were not within BUK land. But on Sunday night, officials of KNUPDA, along with 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 resident lamented.
Attempts to obtain an official response from KNUPDA proved unsuccessful, as the agency’s managing director was unreachable. When a correspondent visited KNUPDA’s office, the premises appeared largely deserted, with a staff member attributing the absence of senior 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 staff member disclosed.
A senior KNUPDA official who was available insisted that the demolition was not carried out by the agency but rather by a task force from the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning.
Confirming this, an official from the ministry, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that the land belongs to BUK and assured that the government would soon release an official statement.
