FCT Police Shoot Residents Protesting Demolition

Tension enveloped the Karsana community in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday as policemen allegedly opened fire on protesting natives during a heated face-off over the demolition of houses in the area, leaving two persons with gunshot wounds.

The victims, identified as Sunday Danjuma and Jacob Audu, both indigenes of the community were reportedly shot while attempting to force their way into the village to salvage their property, following the demolition exercise that sparked widespread anger and condemnation.

Chairman of Karsana community, Mr Zakari Baba, who confirmed the incident, said trouble started around 10:00 a.m. when policemen stationed at the entrance of the community denied natives access into their homes, which had earlier been demolished.

He explained that in an attempt to gain entry into the community to evacuate what remained of their belongings, the frustrated natives clashed with the police who, in turn, opened fire.

“In fact, as I speak with you, the two boys that sustained bullet wounds are currently being treated at the Gwagwa health centre. It was chaos. They just wanted to pick up what was left of their things,” he said.

The Federal Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) for the FCT, Hon. Musa Dikko, confirmed the development while speaking over the telephone.

He disclosed that he had personally visited the troubled community in a bid to calm frayed nerves.

“I received a distress call and immediately led my team to the area to intervene. I can confirm that two natives sustained gunshot injuries. We’ve managed to douse the tension, and I have summoned the developer to our office to explain who authorised the demolition,” he stated.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, SP Adeh Josephine, proved abortive as calls to her line were unanswered and messages sent were yet to be replied as at press time.

The ongoing crisis follows Saturday’s outburst by the Chairman of AMAC, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, who had expressed outrage over the demolition exercise, which did not spare the palace of the village chief, Chief Yahaya Barde.

While addressing journalists at the weekend, Maikalangu condemned the developer responsible for the action and vowed to pursue legal action.

“You cannot carry out such destruction without clearance. We will sue whoever is behind this,” he fumed.