The family of Abubakar Yaqub, the Chief Imam of Kuchibuyi in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has been thrown into mourning following the alleged killing of his son, Attahiru Abubakar, by police officers during a violent land dispute on Saturday.
It was learnt that the incident, which occurred amid escalating tensions over community land, left 28-year-old Attahiru dead from a gunshot wound to the chest, while his elder brother, Abass Abubakar, was critically injured and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital. Their father, the Chief Imam, was also reportedly shot during the confrontation.
In an official statement released on Saturday, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed that officers from the Byazin and Kubwa Divisions were deployed to quell a “civil unrest” linked to a land dispute in the Kuchibuyi community.
According to the police, the officers acted swiftly to restore order and made several arrests. “The FCT Police Command received a distress call regarding a civil unrest incident stemming from a land dispute at Kuchibuyi community under Byazin Division,” the statement read.
The Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, also condemned what he described as attacks on officers responding to distress calls. “Such behaviour will not be condoned, and firm action will be taken against anyone who attacks police or other security personnel,” he warned.
The statement, however, did not acknowledge the reported shootings or the fatality.
Eyewitnesses and family members have strongly disputed the police account, accusing the officers of opening fire on unarmed residents. Speaking to Journalists on Sunday, Sanusi Abubakar, the elder son of the Chief Imam and brother of the deceased, alleged that the police were acting on the instructions of a private estate developer attempting to forcefully seize community land.
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“There was one estate manager who wanted to take over a large portion of the community land without our consent. He came earlier with soldiers and vigilantes. Later, he called the police. Some youths blocked the road in protest, but the matter seemed to be resolved. Then the police returned and began shooting at residents,” Sanusi said.
“My brother, Attahiru, was shot in the chest and died on the spot. Abass was also hit and taken to the hospital. Our father, the Chief Imam, was not spared either—he was shot too.”
Another resident who witnessed the incident but asked for anonymity due to fear of reprisal, corroborated Sanusi’s claims.
“The police lied. Three people were shot: two sons of the Imam and the Imam himself. Attahiru died instantly. Abass is fighting for his life. Yet the police failed to mention the shootings in their statement,” the resident said.
The resident further alleged that the estate manager behind the land grab had previously brought soldiers to the community just two days before the incident, creating tension among residents.
Photos obtained showed Attahiru’s lifeless body with a visible gunshot wound to his upper chest, and another image showed his body wrapped in cloth on the ground.
