12 people sustain gunshot wounds in Kaduna demolition clash
Story from Saleh INUWA, Kano
Pandemonium broke out in Sabon Gjero Community, Kaduna State, as security agents allegedly opened fire on residents who resisted the operations of the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA) during a house demolition.
The incident occurred recently, coinciding with the nation’s Democracy Day celebration.
Among the victims from the affected community, situated in Millennium City, Chikun Local Council, were twelve individuals, including women and children, who were immediately rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.
The victims of this unfortunate event have been identified as: Hasat Magaji, Rukayya Lawal, Hamza Bashir, Aminu Salisu, Rukayya Falallu, Sani Nura, Rahama Yusuf, Zainab Sani, Abdullahi Lawal, Jamilu Idris, Kamilu Muhammad, Baba Bello, and Hafsat Adamu.
Chairman of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Sabon Gyero Community, Uwaisu Yunusa, spoke to reporters, confirming that twelve individuals were shot by armed members of the Kaduna State Vigilante Service (KADVIS) when some enraged youths attempted to prevent KASUPDA from carrying out the demolition.
Yunusa personally reported the incident to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Millennium City and its surrounding areas. He stated that the victims were swiftly taken to Gabasawa Clinic, Unguwar Rimi, for immediate medical attention.
Yunusa, popularly known as Sarkin Samari, expressed his disappointment that the Sabon Gyero community, which previously had a cordial relationship with KASUPDA and other agencies, had experienced such an abrupt change in their interactions.
“Why would KADVIS aim and shoot at innocent individuals, including girls and boys aged between 12 and 16?” he questioned.
When contacted, Yinusa Ibrahim, the KADVIS team leader responsible for the operation in Sabon Gyero, denied the allegations that his team intentionally fired at people.
He explained that KADVIS personnel only fired warning shots into the air to deter individuals who were attempting to attack them during the demolition.
