Kaduna: One dies, others injured as Gbagyi residents protest against demolition
Awoman was yesterday reported dead, while others sustained injuries following a protest against the demolition of Gbagyi Villa residential complex in Kaduna metropolis, allegedly ordered by the Governor, Nasir ElRufai.
The Guardianlearnt that hundreds of youths and residents of the area and environs came out to protest against demolition of houses and other structures, when they sited bulldozers and armed security men deployed for the exercise.
Eyewitnesses, in the area, told newsmen that uniform men started shooting to scare away resilient youths who were chanting songs and slogans.
According to the witness, a woman simply identified as Sarah allegedly collapsed when her blood pressure ( BP) shot up on hearing news of the demolition and gunshots.
The victim was rushed to the hospital for medical attention, but unfortunately she gave up the ghost before getting to the hospital.
However, the youths, who massively came out to defend the Gbagyi villa, vowed to take their destinies into their hands, especially following a court judgment earlier secured by the residents against the demolition.
One of the residents, Lukas Daniel said: “If the authority that is supposed to defend the judgment is now rising against the community in total disobedience to the judgment, we wonder about the kind of society we are living in, and the legacy the government is leaving behind.”
According to him, “Though some houses had been demolished while the youths were resisting, their resilience eventually prevailed, and Kaduna State Urban Planning Development Agency ( KASUPDA) with the security men retreated with a promise to return in a surprise attack, perhaps at night.”
Another resident, who simply identified himself Haruna, lamented: “The same government that imposed hard times on the masses is now out to round off by causing more havoc in destroying the little roof we have over our heads.”
He added: “Following the court judgment in favour of the Gbagyi Villa community, El- Rufai asked us to fill a form for regularisation at the cost of N20,000 and majority had done that. as
“Again, just about ten days ago, KASUPDA brought a letter that El- Rufai had ordered that all building approval obtained before the court case is null and void, asking us to start processing new building approval and new building plan with dates not earlier than May 2023.