The family of Abubakar Yaqub, the Chief Imam of Kuchibuyi in the Bwari area of the Federal Capital Territory, is grieving the loss of his son, Attahiru Abubakar, who was allegedly shot dead by police officers during a land-related clash on Saturday.

Attahiru was reportedly killed on the spot by a police bullet, while his older brother, Abass, sustained gunshot wounds and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

According to a statement from the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, the police were responding to a civil disturbance linked to a land dispute in the Kuchibuyi area, under the jurisdiction of the Byazin Division.

“The Divisional Police Officers of Byazin and Kubwa quickly mobilised to the scene and brought the situation under control. Arrests were made, and investigations are ongoing,” she stated.

Adeh emphasized that the conflict was a community land issue and not triggered by the police. She also quoted the Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, who condemned the attack on officers responding to the unrest, stating that such actions would not be tolerated and would be met with strict measures.

However, members of the Kuchibuyi community challenged the police narrative, alleging that the officers opened fire indiscriminately, which led to the death and injuries—claims not acknowledged in the official statement.

Sanusi Abubakar, brother to the deceased, revealed that their father, the Chief Imam, was also shot during the confrontation. He accused the police of acting on the instructions of a private estate developer trying to seize community land.

“There’s this estate developer who has been trying to claim a large portion of our land without informing the community. He showed up with soldiers and vigilantes. After a brief standoff where some boys blocked the road, the issue seemed resolved. But shortly after, the police and a task force returned and started shooting at people,” he said.

“Attahiru was killed instantly. Our elder brother Abass was hit too and is now hospitalized. Even our father, the Chief Imam, was shot.”

A resident who witnessed the incident but requested anonymity for safety reasons supported this account. He said three people were shot—the Chief Imam and his two sons—and accused the police of omitting these details from their public statement.

“Attahiru died on the spot after being shot in the chest. His brother is in a Bwari hospital. Later, the police randomly arrested about six young men. It was a terrifying scene. This same estate manager had come to the community with soldiers just two days before.”

Images from the scene showed Attahiru’s body with a gunshot wound to the upper left chest, and another image displayed his corpse wrapped in cloth.

When asked again for clarification on why the initial police statement did not mention the shooting or death, the police spokesperson referred back to the original release and declined further comments.

Attahiru’s killing adds to the rising number of Nigerians, including women and youth, who have reportedly died in incidents linked to police violence.