The family of Abdulsamad Jamiu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), allegedly killed by soldiers in Dei-Dei, Shagari Estate, Abuja, has rejected the Nigerian Army’s account that he died after being caught in a crossfire.
Jamiu was reportedly killed on April 25 after soldiers of the Guards Brigade Quick Response Force responded to what the military described as a distress call from residents over an alleged robbery attack in the area.
In a statement, the Guards Brigade said troops came under fire from fleeing armed robbers when they arrived at the scene, leading to what it described as a brief but intense exchange of gunfire.
The brigade said Jamiu was caught in the crossfire and later died from his injuries, adding that his remains were handed over to civil authorities at Kubwa General Hospital.
But the family, in a statement released on Sunday, dismissed the army’s explanation, insisting that available evidence showed that Jamiu was shot inside his room.
According to the family, the incident happened at about 2am when military personnel allegedly entered the estate while Jamiu’s parents were away in Okene for a burial ceremony.
The family said Jamiu’s sister was in the house at the time of the shooting.
They alleged that soldiers fired through the closed door of Jamiu’s room at close range, with the bullet hitting him in the head and killing him instantly.
“Nigerian military personnel discharged a firearm at close range through the door of Abdulsamad’s room. The shot struck him in the head, killing him instantly,” the family said.
The family argued that the bullet trajectory, from the room door to the wall, showed that the shot was fired from outside the room and not during an exchange of gunfire as claimed by the army.
They also questioned the military’s claim of a crossfire, saying no armed adversary had been identified and no weapon was recovered from the scene.
“No such adversary has been identified, produced, or accounted for. No weapon was recovered from the scene. No shell casings attributed to any party other than the military have been documented,” the statement added.
The family further alleged that the soldiers entered the premises by scaling the fence, adding that remnants of fallen barbed wire were still visible at the scene.
They said the gate to the house was intact and undamaged after the incident, while residents also did not report any robbery in the community that night.
According to the family, after Jamiu’s sister heard the gunshot and rushed downstairs, soldiers allegedly told her to go outside and calm down.
The family also claimed that when members of the community vigilance group arrived at the scene after being alerted by neighbours, soldiers allegedly instructed them to mop up the blood and flush it away.
They said the alleged instruction raised serious concerns about possible tampering with evidence.
Jamiu’s body was later taken to the hospital by police officers.
The family said they were made to go through hours of statements and administrative procedures before being allowed to retrieve his remains for burial.
They further claimed that the soldiers later admitted that the shooting was a mistake and that an innocent person had been killed.
According to the family, the alleged admission was made in the presence of the Divisional Police Officer and documented in a written statement.
The bereaved family is now demanding an immediate, independent and transparent investigation into Jamiu’s death, insisting that the probe must be conducted outside the army’s chain of command and under full civilian oversight.
They also called for the identification, suspension and prosecution of the soldiers involved in the shooting.
The family further demanded that the army retract its earlier statement and issue what they described as a corrected account consistent with the evidence available.