Family of Abdulsamad Jamiu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has rejected the Nigerian Army’s account that he died after being caught in a crossfire in Dei-Dei, Abuja.
Jamiu was killed on April 25 at Shagari Estate after soldiers of the Guards Brigade Quick Response Force responded to what the military described as a distress call over an alleged robbery attack.
In an earlier statement, the brigade said troops came under fire from fleeing armed robbers on arrival, leading to an exchange of gunfire. It said Jamiu was hit in the crossfire and later died from his injuries.
The Army added that his remains were handed over to civil authorities at Kubwa General Hospital.
But the family, in a statement issued on Sunday, said available evidence showed that Jamiu was shot inside his room.
According to the family, the incident happened around 2am while Jamiu’s parents were away in Okene for a burial ceremony. They said his sister was in the house at the time.
The family alleged that soldiers fired through the closed door of his room and the bullet struck him in the head.
“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 statement said.
They said the bullet path from the door to the wall showed the shot was fired from outside the room and not during an exchange of gunfire.
The family also questioned the claim of a crossfire, saying no armed attacker had been identified and no weapon was recovered at 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.
They further alleged that soldiers entered the premises by scaling the fence, while the gate remained undamaged after the incident.
The family said residents did not report any robbery in the area that night.
They also claimed that after neighbours alerted the local vigilance group, soldiers asked members to clean the bloodstains, raising concerns about possible tampering with evidence.
Jamiu’s body was later taken to the hospital by police officers, according to the family.
They said the soldiers later admitted that the shooting was a mistake and that an innocent person had been killed. The family said the statement was made in the presence of the Divisional Police Officer and recorded in writing.
The family is demanding an independent investigation into the incident, outside the Army’s chain of command, with civilian oversight.
They also called for the identification, suspension and prosecution of those involved, as well as a retraction of the Army’s earlier statement and a public apology.
