Kano Demolitions: Victims Lament Over Death Of 30 Persons, N260bn Properties

“Shortly before the 2023 gubernatorial election, some of the suspects (more particularly the leader of the ruling party, New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso) were heard and seen physically and over the media repeatedly, stating unequivocally, that if his party won the election, they would demolish all the structures/shops (own by our members) at the Kofar Mata Eid-ground.

“Subsequently, NNPP emerged as the winner of the election, and His Excellency, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, was sworn in as the Governor of Kano State on the 29th day of May, 2023. Unfortunately, even before cabinet members were nominated and appointed, Abba Kabir Yusuf, formed a committee with the sole responsibility of carrying out the demolition exercise.

“The 5th day of June, 2023 was the black day to the traders and owners of shops and thousands of people getting their means of livelihood in the area. At about 01:00 hours, after we all closed our shops and businesses, the democratically elected Government of Kano State, under the leadership of Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, without any notice or opportunity for our members to park their goods and other movable properties, with no iota of sympathy, demolished the structures/shops in the area. Selfish individuals with criminal minds were also encouraged by the Government to loot our properties as the demolishing was ongoing. They described our own properties as public properties and declared the same as free for all.

“Consequently, the suspects succeeded in destroying all the structures/shops/ goods and monies (cash) kept in some shops, rendering the victims helpless, poor, and jobless without any justification whatsoever. Some of the victims lost their lives (30), and some are now patients with different sicknesses, including the killer ‘stroke’. The victims’ orphans and children are left with no parental care and attention, many are rendered homeless; poor or have no education, or medical care, because breadwinners are either dead or have lost their means of livelihood. The total estimated value of the properties lost and destroyed is two hundred and sixty billion Naira (N260,000,000.00).

“Unfortunately, instead of receiving an apology from the state Government, the Government officially stated that “it has no regret over the demolition exercise”. Also, the leader of the party (Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso added salt to the injury and reminded us of his pre-election promise, to demolish our hard-own properties/shops. He further described our wealth as useless and proudly confirmed that he has fulfilled the promise. He added that he would have destroyed the structures even if it is over 1,000 stories.

“We know as a fact that the government has the power to revoke any right of occupancy but only for overriding public interest. Also, a sufficient notice must be served and compensation paid before the revocation. These requirements were never satisfied by the Government, no attempt was made whatsoever. It is also against the Law to carry out such an operation in the middle of the night.

“We the members of the Association have suffered from psychological trauma as a result of the unlawful acts of the Suspects either directly or indirectly, destruction and loss of their properties worth billions of Naira which were stolen in addition to loss of business and means of livelihoods.

“It is against the above background that we are appealing to your good office to cause a criminal investigation to be conducted in this case to ensure that justice is done to us.”