At least one person has been reportedly killed with many others injured in Kwandare village, Lafia local government area, home town of Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa state, following protest by angry youths there.
The youths, at the weekend, held the Emir of Kwandare, Alhaji Ahmadu Al-Makura, elder brother to the governor, hostage over alleged land grabbing in the community. The protesting youths alleged that the emir connived with the governor to grab their lands without due compensation.
A source, who did not want his name on print, also alleged that “the emir of Kwandare, Ahmadu Al-Makura, directed his security operatives to immediately open fire on Kwandare youths during a peaceful protest and killed one Hussani Yahuza, while several others sustained various degrees of injuries and are receiving medical attention in the hospital.”
The emir while reacting to the allegations, however, distanced himself from the shooting, saying protest is allowed in any part of the world but should be peaceful and done with decorum as he advised them to put their grievances in writing so that he could forward it to the governor for redress. According to him, “Government has followed due process in paying the compensation of the cargo airport, Kwandare International Market, Comprehensive Healthcare Centre, and Mortgage Housing Unit, among others projects.
“But, surprisingly, these youths, after observing my Juma’at prayers in Kwandare on my way back to Lafia, came in their large number and attacked my convoy, pelting me with stones, sticks and saying that the governor is my brother and that I should advise him on how to handle land issues in Kwandare.” The Police Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Idrissu Kennedy, said the command was yet to be briefed on the happening, to unravel the root of the crisis.
