Governor El-Rufai demolishes Shiites structures in Kaduna

Workers from the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA) have destroyed six buildings owned by Shi’ite adherents of Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky throughout Kaduna town and its surroundings.

On Sunday in Kaduna, Yunusa Lawal briefed newsmen and stated that among the demolished buildings were schools, a hospital, and a private residence.

He claims that since 2015, Governor Nasir el-Rufai has driven the movement to its breaking point by destroying their buildings.

KASUPDA demolished the Shi’ite-owned buildings in Kawo, Rigasa, Tudun Wada, and Ungwan Rimi while utilizing security guards to evict the tenants.

“We’re being pushed to the wall,” bemoaned Yunusa Lawal.

He continued by saying that the government’s sole justification for the demolition was that their movement was outlawed, which was not only illegal but also vengeful.

The representative emphasized that they do not know the whereabouts of the remaining 42 structures they intended to destroy and that they were never given any warning as to the purpose of the destruction.

The sole reason they identified in the leaked email, he said, is that they are a movement that is outlawed; but, he insisted that as a religious community, they cannot be outlawed.

El-Rufai is not a better citizen than them, he emphasized, adding that they cannot lower their arms since they are legitimate Nigerian citizens.