A delegation of the Nigerian Army has visited the family of Abdulsamad Jamiu, a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member killed by soldiers of the Guards Brigade Quick Response Force at Shagari estate in Dei-Dei, Abuja.
The development follows the family’s outright rejection of
the military’s account of the incident that led to the corps member’s death.
In a statement, the Guards Brigade headquarters had said
Jamiu was caught in a crossfire on April 25 when troops responded to a distress
call from residents reportedly under attack by armed robbers.
“Upon arrival, the troops came under gunfire from the
fleeing armed robbers, resulting in a brief but intense exchange,” the
statement reads.
“In the course of the engagement, Mr Jamiu was caught in the
crossfire. Despite efforts by troops to secure the area and preserve lives, he
sadly succumbed to his injuries.”
The brigade described the situation as “fluid and highly
volatile” and said the deceased’s remains were handed 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 2 aam on Saturday when military personnel entered the estate.
Contrary to the army’s claim, the family said the personnel
“discharged a firearm at close range through the door of Jamiu’s room” and that
“the shot struck him in the head, killing him instantly”.
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 a formal public apology from the army
and the identification, suspension pending investigation, and prosecution of
the personnel responsible for the shooting.
In a follow-up statement on Monday, the family said
representatives of the Nigerian army, led by S. O. Buhari, visited the
residence to offer condolences and inspect the scene of the incident.
According to the family, the delegation stated during the
visit that they were unaware the house was fenced and that the room where the
shooting occurred was located downstairs, a position the family said
contradicts the earlier claim that the death resulted from a “stray bullet”.
The delegation expressed condolences and assured the family
that the officers involved would be investigated and held accountable.
The family, however, reiterated its demand for the
retraction of the military’s initial statement and a public apology, describing
the earlier account as an insult to the memory of their son.
They added that although there was a promise to delete the
statement, trust had already been undermined, especially as some military
personnel had visited the scene a day earlier before issuing the statement.
“We reiterate our demand that those responsible for the
killing of Abdulsalam Jamiu be brought to justice,” the statement reads.
“This was not an accident. He was in his home; military men
entered the premises, approached his room, and shot him through the door.
Twice. This was not a mistake.”
In a video attached to the post, a man believed to be
Jamiu’s father was seen demanding a retraction of the military’s statement.
“First, that statement should be dropped. They should
retract it immediately. It’s hurtful,” he said.
Responding, the leader of the army delegation said, “That’s
why I said investigations are ongoing on the matter”.
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