by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
No fewer than eight (8) youths were reportedly killed in Gbagyi Villa on Friday, May 26, 2023, by Kaduna State Vigilante Service (KADVIS), a local government vigilante created by Gov Nasir El-Rufai and given uniforms and armed with guns.
The vigilantes, under the name KADVIS, through KASUPDA commenced the demolition of Gbagyi Villa community on Friday morning, despite court judgment in favour of the community.
According to eyewitness, at about 10:00 am, KASUPDA bulldozers accompanied with military of HQ Nigerian Army, men of the Nigeria Police Force, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Kaduna State Government vigilante code-named “KADVIS,” arrived Gbagyi Villa and immediately commenced demolition of the community.
But the youths came out in their numbers and started resisting the demolition, since the community has a subsisting judgment from court of competent jurisdiction in favour of the community and against El-Rufai.
But the armed uniform men, especially men of the KADVIS, started shooting, while the youths were stoning them and were resilient as they vowed to defend their court judgment since the authorities that supposed to uphold rule of law are now coming out in defense of illegality occasioned by outright disobedience to the court of law.
In the process, many of the youths were brought down by the bullets, while others were immediately rushed for medical attention.
“No fewer than eight (8) out of those shot could survive, as they were reported to have died during the treatment, some even died before they could get to the hospital. Several others were wounded, even though their numbers are yet to be ascertained,” according to eyewitness.
“However, KASUPDA with accompanied armed uniform men still continued with the demolition, but the youths also kept resisting, despite the gun shots and those dead.
“This continued till about 5:18 pm, and KASUPDA was able to demolish some houses, though the youths remained resilient and kept resisting till the time KASUPDA left with a promise to still return and continue the demolition.”
