Kano Demolition Victims Press Criminal Case Against Governor, Kwankwaso

Victims of last year’s demolition in Kano, Masallacin Idi Shop Owners and Traders Association, have petitioned the state police commissioner, Muhammad Usain Gumel, to conduct criminal investigations on the perpetrators whose actions allegedly led to the death of 30 people.

The group has accused the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the secretary to the state government (SSG), Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, of criminal conspiracy, theft, criminal misappropriation and mischief contrary to the Penal Code and laws of the state.

The victims, who are owners and occupiers of about 6,000 shops demolished by the state government at its inception, said Kwankwaso had repeatedly mentioned over the media that when their party, the NNPP, comes to power, they will demolish the shops.

The group, which earlier had an out-of-court settlement with the state government and is to be paid N3 billion has since started receiving the agreed N1billion monthly for three months based on the available agreements.
Through their lawyer, Ma’ruf Yakasai, who read the petition to newsmen in Kano yesterday, which was signed by the chairman of the group, Auwalu Sa’idu Umar and the secretary, Ibrahim Salisu Nyas, they said for posterity, the law has to take its course in dealing with the situation.

Yakasai said, “Shortly before the 2023 gubernatorial election, some of them, more particularly the leader of the ruling 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 owned by our members at the Kofar Mata Eid Ground.

“Subsequently, NNPP emerged as the winner of the election, and His Excellency, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusif, was sworn in as the governor of Kano State on the 29th May, 2023.

“Unfortunately, even before cabinet members were nominated and appointed, H.E. Abba Kabir Yusif, formed a committee with the sole responsibility of carrying out the demolition exercise.

“The 5th May, 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 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 on going. They described our hard own properties as public properties and declared 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, jobless without any justification whatsoever. Some of the victims lost their lives, some are now patients with different sickness, including the killer ‘stroke’.
“The victims’ orphans and children are left with no parental care and attention, many are rendered homeless; poor or no education, medical care, because breadwinners are either dead or have lost their means of livelihood. The total estimated value off the properties lost and destroyed is two hundred and sixty billion Naira,” the lawyer stated.

The group appealed to the police commissioner to conduct a criminal investigation with respect to destruction done to property and humanity, as some have passed on as a result of torture while some who were rich have become poor.

“We need the criminal aspect to be investigated and the guilty to face the full wrath of the law. We also urge your good self to consider and build on the judgement of the Federal High Court, Kano Division that described the action of the suspects as illegal, unconstitutional and barbaric.

“We are ready at the appropriate stage of investigation to provide all the available evidence and records in our possession to support the allegations against the suspects. Please note further that the suspects have never denied the demolition,” he added.