Police Under Fire After Alleged Killing Imam’s Son During FCT Land Dispute

Tension has gripped the Kuchibuyi community in the Bwari area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following the fatal shooting of Attahiru Abubakar, son of the community’s Chief Imam, allegedly by police officers during a land-related clash on Saturday.

Attahiru reportedly died on the spot from a gunshot wound, while his elder brother, Abass, sustained severe injuries and is currently receiving treatment in a hospital. Their father, Abubakar Yaqub—the community’s Chief Imam—was also reportedly shot during the incident.

The FCT Police Command, in a statement by its spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed that officers had responded to a “civil unrest” at Kuchibuyi related to a land dispute. She said officers from Byazin and Kubwa divisions had been deployed and brought the situation under control, adding that arrests had been made and investigations were ongoing.

Adeh clarified that the conflict was a communal matter, not instigated by the police, and warned against attacks on law enforcement personnel. “Such behaviour will not be condoned,” she said, quoting the Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale.

However, community members have pushed back against the police narrative, accusing officers of opening fire indiscriminately. The deceased’s brother, Sanusi Abubakar, told the media that the attack was orchestrated by an estate developer seeking to forcefully take over community land, allegedly with support from security personnel.

Sanusi claimed that the estate manager had earlier arrived with vigilantes and soldiers before returning with police, who allegedly opened fire on residents after a brief standoff. “My brother Attahiru was killed on the spot. My other brother, Abass, was shot. Our father was also hit,” he said.

An eyewitness, who requested anonymity, described the police statement as misleading. “They left out the fact that three people were shot. After the shooting, they randomly arrested six youths,” he said.

Photos reportedly taken at the scene show Attahiru’s lifeless body with a bullet wound to the chest.
Efforts to get further clarification from the police spokesperson were unsuccessful as she referred reporters to her earlier statement and declined additional comments.

The incident has sparked renewed concerns over police conduct and the use of lethal force in civil disputes.