Police shooting in Abuja land dispute claims life of Chief Imam’s son, leaves community outraged
Story by Susan Mbamah
A land dispute in the Kuchibuyi community of Abuja’s Bwari area turned deadly on Saturday when Attahiru Abubakar, son of Chief Imam Abubakar Yaqub, was allegedly shot and killed by police.
The incident has left the Imam’s family and the wider community in shock and mourning.
Witnesses and family members said that police officers opened fire during a confrontation related to contested community land, resulting in Attahiru’s death. His elder brother, Abass, sustained gunshot wounds and is currently receiving treatment in hospital. The Chief Imam himself was also reportedly shot in the incident.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command said officers responded to civil unrest connected to a communal land dispute and had succeeded in restoring order.
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However, residents and family members have accused the police of using excessive force and attempting to downplay the severity of the violence.
Police spokesperson Josephine Adeh insisted the situation was a communal issue and not instigated by officers. She condemned what she called attacks on law enforcement by local youth.
This version of events was strongly disputed by locals. Sanusi Abubakar, another son of the Chief Imam, told SK Blog that an estate developer attempting to seize community land had earlier brought in soldiers and vigilantes before the police arrived.
“After an initial confrontation was calmed, police returned and started shooting. My brother Attahiru was shot dead, Abass was hit, and even our father was shot,” Sanusi said.
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Eyewitnesses backed this account, with one resident claiming that police fired indiscriminately and later arrested several young men from the community.
“They’re trying to cover it up,” the resident alleged, noting that the same estate manager had brought soldiers to the area just two days prior to the incident.
Photos reviewed by SK Blog reportedly show Attahiru’s body with a visible gunshot wound to the chest. The police did not acknowledge the shooting or confirm any fatalities in their initial statement, and when contacted again, the spokesperson declined to provide further comment.
The killing has sparked outrage in the community and revived national concerns about police conduct during civil disputes. The incident adds to a growing chorus of voices raising alarm over alleged police brutality in Nigeria.
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