Family alleges soldier killed corps member in Abuja home

The family of Abdulsamad Jamiu has alleged that he was shot dead by personnel of the Nigerian Army Guards Brigade Quick Response Force at his residence in Shagari Estate, Dei-Dei, Abuja.

Jamiu, a National Youth Service Corps member, was reportedly killed in the early hours of Saturday, an incident that has triggered conflicting accounts between the family and the military.

In a statement on Sunday, the family said soldiers discharged a firearm at close range through the door of his room, killing him instantly. They added that the shot was fired while he was inside with his sister, while their parents were away in Okene for a burial.

According to the statement, a physical examination of the scene suggested the bullet entered through the door and struck the wall inside the room, raising questions about the direction of fire.

The family further alleged that soldiers instructed Jamiu’s sister to go outside after the incident and told her to “calm down”, while residents who later arrived at the scene were ordered by the troops to clean up blood stains.

They also claimed that military personnel admitted the shooting was a mistake in the presence of a divisional police officer, describing the victim as an “innocent casualty”.

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The body was later evacuated to Kubwa General Hospital by police officers who arrived at the scene, while the family said they were subjected to several hours of documentation before being allowed to retrieve the remains for burial.

The Nigerian Army had earlier said the corps member died during a crossfire incident in Abuja.