Violence Erupts Over Land Allocation as KADVIS Commander Murdered in Kubau

DDM News

A senior commander of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVIS), Saleh Shuaibu, popularly known as Saleh Fiya-Fiya, has been killed during a violent clash in Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the incident occurred on Sunday at the Yardoka Grazing Reserve, during a tense confrontation over disputed land allocation involving government officials and local herders.

The slain commander had accompanied a government delegation, including police and DSS operatives, to enforce a state directive allocating over 200 hectares of land to a private developer.

The delegation was tasked with implementing the land order issued by the Kaduna State Government as part of its development agenda.

Upon arrival, the officials encountered stiff resistance from a group of squatters and herders who claimed ancestral or economic ties to the land.

Eyewitnesses say the herders had barricaded the entrance to the forest area and staged a protest against the state’s move.

Conflicting accounts soon emerged over the compensation process.

Some protesters alleged they were not compensated at all, while others said payments were made but described them as grossly inadequate.

Commander Saleh Fiya-Fiya reportedly stepped down from a vehicle in an attempt to pacify the aggrieved community.

In a tragic turn of events, one of the protesters allegedly stabbed him with a knife during the heated exchange.

He died instantly on the spot before security personnel could intervene.

As of the time of this report, the attacker’s identity remains unknown and no arrest has been officially confirmed.

Security operatives have since restored calm to the troubled area.

No official statement has been issued yet by the Kaduna State Government regarding the attack.

The Yardoka Grazing Reserve had long been a point of contention between pastoralist communities and state authorities over land use and ownership.

Recent government efforts to commercialize and develop such areas have heightened tensions with local occupants who fear displacement.

The late Commander Saleh was widely respected for his commitment to community security and had earned praise for his role in fighting rural banditry across Northern Kaduna.

His death is being mourned by local residents, traditional rulers, and security colleagues who viewed him as a bridge between communities and law enforcement.

Kaduna authorities are expected to launch a full-scale investigation into the killing and the surrounding circumstances.

This tragic incident highlights the growing friction between government-backed development projects and long-settled communities claiming customary land rights.

Policy analysts have warned that failure to address compensation gaps and community consultations will continue to fuel such deadly clashes.

Nigeria has witnessed several disputes over land use, especially in Northern regions where pastoralist traditions collide with commercial interests.

The Kubau killing is the latest in a series of violent encounters linked to land reforms, and it raises fresh questions about governance, equity, and conflict prevention.

Rights groups have called for an urgent review of land allocation policies to avoid further bloodshed.

The late Commander’s body has been taken to a government mortuary while funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by his family.

Security has been beefed up in Kubau and surrounding areas to prevent possible reprisal attacks.

Community leaders have appealed for calm and justice, urging the government to act swiftly to bring the killer to book.

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