February 04, (THEWILL) – A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Musa Kwankwaso, has called on the Kano State Government to compensate the families of four protesters killed during the demolition of buildings at Rimin Zakara.
The incident, which occurred last Sunday, involved a combined team of security operatives who allegedly opened fire on demonstrators, resulting in four deaths and several injuries.
The affected structures were reportedly built illegally on land belonging to Bayero University, Kano.
In response to the tragedy, the Kano State Government, through the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Wayya, announced plans to establish a committee to investigate the incident.
Kwankwaso criticized the government’s handling of the situation, stating, “Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, alongside his Commissioners for Land and Works, should personally visit the bereaved families to offer condolences.”
He further urged the government to address the matter responsibly by engaging with the affected landowners, allocating alternative lands, and compensating for the lives lost.
Kwankwaso dismissed the state government’s claim of non-involvement in the demolition exercise as “baseless,” citing reports from local radio stations that officials from the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning were present alongside security personnel during the operation.
Echoing sentiments from Amnesty International, he condemned the government’s approach, stating, “The Kano State Government must halt attacks on poor communities, who are being punished for the state’s longstanding urban planning failures.
The chaotic scenes and threats by security forces to set homes ablaze have instilled fear and panic. Using lethal force against already destitute and homeless individuals is an act of crude cruelty. State violence against the poor must end.”
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
