Natives of Karsana, a community in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory, were, on Sunday, thrown into mourning over the demise of Mr. Luka Iliya, hours after his house was demolished in the community.

Abuja Metro had reported that his house and many others, including the palace of the village’s chief, were pulled down by a developer.

The village head, whose palace was affected, had reportedly fallen ill shortly after the exercise.

Two of the victims were allegedly shot on Monday when policemen reportedly prevented them from entering the community.

The youth chairman of Karsana community, Zakari Baba, while narrating the incident to our reporter through the telephone on Monday, said the native died in the early hours of Sunday.

He said the 52-year-old man died from the shock of the demolition of his house and other natives’ houses in Karsana community by a developer on Friday.

According to him, late Iliya fell ill after his blood pressure rose significantly on Saturday evening and was rushed to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital in Gwagwalada, where he died on Sunday morning.

Baba said the demolition exercise carried out by the developer also affected the palace of the chief of the community, HRH Yahaya Barde, adding that a church in the community was also pulled down.

He said the developer, who came in company of some policemen, started demolishing houses of the natives, after the inhabitants had gone to their farms and places of work.

He said, “It happened on Friday morning after most of the villagers, including women, had left for their farms while others had gone to their working places. The information came to us that demolition of our houses was ongoing.”

The community youth chairman said the villagers, upon receiving information about the demolition, rushed back home one after the other only to find out that houses, including the chief’s palace, had been demolished.

“In fact, some policemen at the main entrance into the community locked the gate and denied us access until we had to protest. Unfortunately, before we arrived at the community, the entire natives’ houses had already been brought down,” he added.

Baba said the developer told the natives that the demolition was a directive from above.

Police accused of shooting victims to prevent access to community

Tension erupted on Monday in Karsana community after police allegedly shot two residents – Sunday Danjuma and Jacob Audu.

Zakari Baba, the Karsana community chairman, confirmed the incident to our reporter via telephone on Monday.

He stated that the shooting occurred when policemen prevented the natives, whose houses had been demolished, from accessing the community.

According to Baba, the commotion began around 10am when police officers stationed at the main gate barred residents from entering the village to evacuate their property following the demolition of their homes.

He said some of the natives who attempted to force their way through the gate were allegedly shot by the police.

Two individuals were reportedly shot in their legs and hands. Additionally, the policemen allegedly used tear gas to disperse the villagers.

The community chairman quickly contacted Musa Dikko, the Commissioner of the FCT Public Complaints Commission (PCC), who arrived at the scene to de-escalate the situation.

The victims are currently receiving treatment at Gwagwa Health Centre, the community leader added.

Reacting to the incident, Musa Dikko, the Commissioner for Public Complaints Commission (PCC) representing the FCT, confirmed the events to our reporter via telephone.

He stated that two natives of Karsana community sustained bullet injuries after the police attempted to disperse villagers who tried to forcefully enter the community.

Dikko added that he was at the community to calm the tension and had summoned the developer to the commission’s office to explain the directive under which the natives’ houses were being demolished.

“Actually, I led some of my officials to the community when I received a distress call that two natives of Karsana community were shot,” Dikko said. “And as I speak, we have been able to douse the tension and we have also invited the developer to our office to explain on whose directive he is carrying out the demolition.”

The spokesperson for the FCT police command, SP Josephine Adeh, did not answer calls or reply to a text message regarding the incident up until the time of filing this report.

Village chief in critical condition over palace demolition

The youth chairman also disclosed that the chief of Karsana community, HRH Yahaya Barde, whose palace was demolished, is now in critical condition following the demolition of his palace.

He said since the entire houses of the natives were demolished, the chief had been battling with health challenges.

He said the Octogenarian who had been rendered homeless with his family has been taking refuge in a makeshift wooden house in the community.

He said, “Even as we speak, the chief with his family is taking refuge in a makeshift wooden house, while other natives had to squat with some of their relatives in the area,” he said.

AMAC chair visits community, threatens legal action

The Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has threatened legal action against a developer following the demolition of the palace of the village head of Karsana 2 community, HRH Yahaya Barde, and other homes belonging to native residents.

Maikalangu, visibly angry, led journalists to the affected community on Saturday.

He expressed his sadness upon receiving information about the demolition by a developer on Friday.

He lamented that a developer would demolish native houses, including the village chief’s palace, without any formal notification or efforts to compensate the affected residents.

“I almost shed tears when I saw the village chief’s palace and houses of all his subjects brought down by the developer. I believe the FCDA was not aware of it. If it were the development control, they would have issued a notice before now,” he stated.

Maikalangu appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike for immediate intervention to address the situation.

He also appealed to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to intervene toward their immediate resettlement, adding that many families had been rendered homeless.

“As you can see, these people are homeless. Where are they going to sleep today?” No warning, no compensation.

“If you want to relocate people who live here, first thing, compensate them. If you don’t want them here, give them another alternative.

“With the Gbagyi people, the name Karsana is important,” he said.

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communication and Social Media did not respond to the WhatsApp message sent to him on the incident. (Daily Trust)