Two residents of Karsana community, located within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), were reportedly shot by police officers during a protest against the demolition of their homes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The victims, identified as Sunday Danjuma and Jacob Audu, were said to have sustained gunshot injuries when security personnel opened fire as a crowd of displaced residents attempted to re-enter the community to recover their personal belongings.
Zakari Baba, chairman of the Karsana community, confirmed the incident to Chronicles Reporters, stating that the victims were currently receiving medical attention.
“As I speak with you, the two individuals who sustained bullet wounds are being treated at Gwagwa health center,” he said.
According to Baba, the unrest started around 10 a.m. when security officers stationed at the community’s entrance stopped the displaced residents from accessing their homes. Tensions escalated when some protesters defied the restriction and tried to force their way in, leading to police opening fire.
This violent clash comes just days after AMAC Chairman, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, condemned the demolition exercise, which also targeted the palace of the community leader, Chief Yahaya Barde.
While addressing the media, Maikalangu expressed his displeasure over the incident and hinted at possible legal action against the developer responsible for the demolitions.
Similarly, Hon. Musa Dikko, who represents the FCT at the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), also acknowledged the shooting. Speaking via telephone, Dikko said he visited the community after receiving an emergency call about the shooting of two residents.
“I personally led my team to Karsana after receiving information that two people had been shot. We were able to calm the situation, and the developer has been invited to our office to clarify who authorized the demolition,” he stated.
He further revealed that the developer involved in the controversial demolition had been summoned to appear before the commission for questioning.
However, in contrast to these reports, the FCT Police Command denied any involvement in the shooting. When contacted by Chronicles Reporters, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Adeh Josephine, dismissed the claims.
“The FCT Police Command did not open fire on any individual as alleged,” she asserted. “No protester was shot during the Karsana demolition exercise.”
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