Family of Chief Imam in Mourning as Son is Allegedly Killed by Police During Land Dispute in FCT.
The family of Abubakar Yaqub, the Chief Imam of the Kuchibuyi community in Bwari, within Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of his son, Attahiru Abubakar. The young man was allegedly shot and killed by police officers amid a heated land dispute in the area on Saturday.
How did Attahiru Abubakar die?
According to reports obtained, Attahiru was fatally struck by a police bullet during the altercation and died on the spot. His elder brother, Abass Abubakar, also sustained serious gunshot injuries and is currently receiving emergency medical care in a hospital. The shocking incident has sparked outrage within the community, with residents demanding transparency and justice.
In an official statement issued the same day, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, through its spokesperson Josephine Adeh, confirmed a police presence in the area, explaining that officers had responded to what was described as a “civil unrest” linked to a land-related disagreement in the Kuchibuyi community under the jurisdiction of the Byazin Division.
“The FCT Police Command received a distress call regarding a civil disturbance stemming from a land dispute,” the statement read. “Divisional Police Officers from Byazin and Kubwa were deployed to the scene and managed to bring the situation under control. Several arrests were made, and an investigation is ongoing.”
Adeh further emphasized that the origin of the conflict was rooted in a communal dispute and not initiated by the police. She also quoted the Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, who condemned acts of violence against law enforcement officers. According to the Commissioner, officers were dispatched to restore peace, and any aggression toward them would be met with firm consequences.
“The Commissioner strongly condemns the assault on our officers by youths while responding to a distress call,” she stated. “Such acts will not be tolerated, and those responsible will face the full weight of the law.”
Who is to blame for Attahiru Abubakar’s Death?
However, community members present during the incident have challenged the police narrative, accusing officers of excessive force and indiscriminate shooting. They claim that the police account fails to acknowledge the severity of what occurred, including the fatal shooting of Attahiru Abubakar, the wounding of his brother, and injuries sustained by their father, the Chief Imam himself.
Sanusi Abubakar, another son of the Chief Imam and brother to the deceased, spoke with reporters on Sunday. He alleged that the police acted in collaboration with a private estate developer who was attempting to seize community land through illegal means.
He recounted, “There’s an estate manager trying to take control of a significant part of our land without any dialogue or agreement with the community. He initially came with soldiers and some vigilantes. Later, he called in the police. At first, the community youths blocked the road in protest, and the tension seemed to ease. But then, the police and a task force returned and began shooting at residents.”
Statement from Attahiru Abubakar’s loved ones
Sanusi tearfully described the outcome: “My younger brother, Attahiru, was shot dead instantly. My older brother, Abass, was hit and is now fighting for his life in a hospital. Even our father, the Chief Imam, was shot during the chaos.”
Another resident, who claimed to have witnessed the entire confrontation but asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, backed Sanusi’s version of events. Report has it that, the eyewitness alleged that the official police statement deliberately omitted crucial details.
“The police didn’t tell the full story,” the resident said. “They left out the fact that three people were shot — both sons of the Imam and the Imam himself. Attahiru was shot in the chest and died immediately. Afterward, the police randomly arrested about six young men they found in the area. What happened on Saturday was terrifying, and now they’re trying to downplay it. Just two days before the shooting, that same estate manager had brought soldiers into our community.”
Details of Attahiru Abubakar’s Death
Photographs obtained show Attahiru’s lifeless body with a visible gunshot wound in the upper left chest. Another image captured the somber aftermath, with his corpse wrapped in a cloth and prepared for burial according to Islamic rites.
When contacted again on Sunday to explain why the initial police statement did not reference the shooting or the death, the FCT Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, declined to provide further comment and simply referred reporters back to her original release.
The death of Attahiru Abubakar adds to a disturbing list of Nigerians — including women, youth, and other civilians — who have died under contentious circumstances involving alleged police misconduct. The incident has reignited national concerns over excessive use of force, lack of accountability in security operations, and the growing perception of injustice in community policing.
As investigations continue, members of the Kuchibuyi community are calling for an independent inquiry into the matter, urging authorities to hold those responsible accountable and ensure that such tragedies do not continue unchecked.
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