Chief Imam’s Family Mourns as Land Dispute Escalates
The Kuchibuyi community in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is in shock after a land dispute turned violent, allegedly leaving Attahiru Abubakar, son of the community’s Chief Imam, dead from police gunfire.
Thewatch.ng gathered that Attahiru died instantly after being hit in the chest, while his elder brother, Abass Abubakar, sustained serious gunshot wounds and remains hospitalised. Their father, Chief Imam Abubakar Yaqub, was also reportedly injured in the incident.
Police Statement: Civil Disturbance, Not Police-Initiated Violence
FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, confirmed that officers responded to a civil unrest in Kuchibuyi on Saturday.
According to her statement:
“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 Divisional Police Officers of Byazin and Kubwa swiftly mobilised to the scene and brought the situation under control. Arrests have been made, and investigation is ongoing.”
Adeh stressed that the altercation was a communal dispute and “not in any way related to the police.” She also quoted the Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, as condemning attacks on officers responding to distress calls, warning that such behaviour would not be tolerated.
Community Counters Police Account, Alleges Indiscriminate Shooting
Residents of Kuchibuyi have strongly disputed the police version of events, accusing officers of indiscriminate firing that caused the fatality and injuries.
Family’s Testimony
The deceased’s brother, Sanusi Abubakar, told reporters that the violence was instigated by an estate manager allegedly attempting to seize community land.
“This estate manager came with soldiers and vigilantes, then later called the police. After some boys blocked the road and things seemed resolved, police and task force returned and began shooting at residents.
My brother Attahiru was killed instantly, Abass is in the hospital, and our father, the Chief Imam, was also shot.”
Eyewitness Account
A resident who requested anonymity for safety reasons backed Sanusi’s claim, saying:
“The police lied in their statement. They didn’t mention that three people were shot – the Imam and his two sons. Attahiru was killed on the spot, his brother is hospitalised, and six young men were arrested. The same estate manager had brought soldiers to the community just two days earlier.”
Visual Evidence Emerges
Photographs obtained by thewatch.ng show Attahiru’s lifeless body with a gunshot wound to the upper left chest, and another image shows his remains wrapped in cloth.
When contacted for clarification on why the initial statement omitted the fatality, Adeh referred reporters to her earlier release and declined further comment.
Growing Concern Over Police Brutality
Attahiru’s death adds to the rising number of Nigerians – including women and youths – killed in alleged incidents of police brutality. Rights activists have repeatedly called for urgent reforms in law enforcement accountability.
As investigations continue, the Kuchibuyi community remains tense, with residents demanding justice and the prosecution of those responsible for the shooting.
