You are liars, he was sh0t in his room’: Family rejects army’s account of NYSC member’s k!lling
‘You are liars, he was shot in his room’: Family rejects army’s account of NYSC member’s killing
The family of Abdulsamad Jamiu, a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member killed by soldiers of the Guards Brigade Quick Response Force in Dei-Dei, Shagari Estate, Abuja, has rejected the military’s account of the incident.
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.
However, the family, in a statement on Sunday, said “physical evidence disproves an exchange of gunfire”, adding that their son was killed at about 2am on Saturday when military personnel entered the estate.
According to the statement, Jamiu’s sister was in the house at the time, while their parents were away in Okene for a burial ceremony.
“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 reads.
“The trajectory of the bullet — confirmed by physical examination of the bullet hole, which runs from the room door to the wall — establishes that the shot was fired from outside the room, through a closed door.”
The family argued that an exchange of gunfire presupposes an adversary who is armed and actively firing.
“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 point of entry used by the military personnel was the fence, which they scaled. The remnants of fallen barbed wire at the fence remain visible and physically verifiable at the scene to this day.”
It added that the gate to the premises was intact and not damaged at the time of the incident, noting that no robbery was also reported in the community on the night.
The family said Jamiu’s sister, upon hearing the gunshot, rushed downstairs but was told by the soldiers to go outside and “calm down”.
Neighbours who heard the gunshot alerted the community vigilance group.
However, on arrival, the vigilance group members were allegedly instructed by the soldiers to “mop up the blood and flush it”, a directive the family said raises serious concerns about the preservation of evidence.
Jamiu’s body was later taken to the hospital by police officers.
The family said they were compelled to endure hours of statements and administrative procedures before being granted access to retrieve their son’s remains for burial.
They further stated that when confronted, the soldiers admitted the shooting was a mistake and that they had killed an innocent person.
According to the family, this admission was made in the presence of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and documented in a written statement.
The family demanded an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into the circumstances of Jamiu’s death, to be conducted outside the Nigerian military’s chain of command and with full civilian oversight.
They also called for the identification, suspension pending investigation, and prosecution of the personnel responsible for the shooting.
In addition, the family demanded a retraction of the military’s earlier statement and the issuance of a corrected account consistent with the available evidence and prior admissions.
They further called for a formal public apology from the army.
