Tension and sorrow now grip the Kuchibuyi community near Kubwa in Abuja’s Federal Capital Territory following a violent invasion by armed Nigerian Army and police officers on Saturday, reportedly at the behest of the Bwari Area Council Chairman, John Gabaya, in a move suspected to be tied to illegal land acquisition.
Chronicles Reporters gathered that a clash broke out between security personnel and residents during the invasion, leading to the death of a young man and injuries to several others. A number of residents were also reportedly arrested during the chaos.
The violent confrontation is said to stem from a controversial land dispute involving the Bwari Area Council boss, John Gabaya, and one Mr. Roland, Managing Director of Grow Homes Estate Ltd, who allegedly coordinated the incursion with backing from military and police forces.
Video clips obtained show desperate residents resisting the onslaught by heavily armed soldiers and officers who descended on the village without notice.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the deceased, identified as Attahiru Abubakar—a newlywed youth—was gunned down during the operation. Two others sustained severe gunshot wounds and were whisked away by the security team, while several young men remain in custody at the Police Area Command in Kubwa.
Community sources revealed that the tension dates back to February 1, 2025, when surveyors, escorted by a military van with three armed personnel, arrived in the area to begin land demarcation. This marked the beginning of what villagers describe as a planned seizure of their ancestral land.
Kuchibuyi, a village known for its robust agricultural supply to Kubwa and its environs, has long been at the center of land ownership disputes. Locals say the February 1 intrusion was their first indication of a covert land acquisition agenda.
Surveyors reportedly claimed the land had been allocated by the Bwari Council for constructing a mini military barracks for retired personnel. A digital version of the land survey map, bearing the Bwari Area Council’s stamp, was shared with the village head, Alhaji Isiaka Dauda. The team later promised to return with proper allocation documents.
According to residents, the situation spiraled out of control on August 2, 2025, when Mr. Roland came back with another group of surveyors to continue work on the disputed land.
A local narrated, “Kuchibuyi, known for supplying food to Kubwa and even other parts of Abuja, was thrown into mourning and confusion on August 2 after one of our youths was killed and others arrested simply for questioning the legitimacy of the council chairman’s authority to allocate land, something only the FCT Minister is empowered to do.
“On February 1, surveyors arrived with soldiers to survey our land, claiming it was for a military barracks. They shared a survey map with our village head and left, promising to return with proper documents.”
Another community insider added, “On August 2, when Mr. Roland returned with surveyors, the villagers confronted them and brought them to the chief’s palace for questioning. While there, Roland called the council chairman, who responded by dispatching a team of police and military officers.
“When they arrived, they began shooting. One youth, Attahiru, was killed and his body taken away. Two others were also shot and removed from the scene by the police. Several young men were arrested and are currently being detained at the Kubwa Area Command.”
The source further accused Chairman Gabaya of a long-running scheme involving the issuance of backdated land allocations to developers in exchange for money. According to them, these shady dealings are carried out in collusion with local councilors, traditional leaders, and occasionally, security officials.
“This illegal land trading is how the chairman and his inner circle amassed unexplained wealth. Kuchibuyi became a prime target the moment the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, launched the road project linking the village to Kubwa and Bwari town,” the source noted.
Residents also alleged that large sums are now being channeled into efforts to conceal the events and shield those responsible from public accountability.
Meanwhile, the body of the slain youth is still in the custody of the security forces, and the condition of the wounded victims remains unclear as authorities have yet to provide any updates.
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