The Nigerian Army is facing widespread backlash following the death of a National Youth Service Corps member, Abdulsamad Jamiu, during a security operation in the Dei-Dei area of the Federal Capital Territory.
In an official statement, the Army said troops on routine night patrol responded to a distress call about an armed robbery in the early hours of Saturday. According to the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Odunola Olawuyi, the soldiers came under fire from fleeing suspects, leading to a gun battle during which Jamiu was “caught in the crossfire.”
However, this account has been strongly disputed by family members and friends of the deceased, who claim the incident occurred inside his home.
In a viral video, a relative alleged that soldiers forcefully entered the compound around 2 a.m., went directly to Jamiu’s room, and shot through his door, fatally hitting him.
“Around 2 a.m., they entered the house, went straight to his room, and shot him twice. He was almost done with his service,” she said, calling for justice.
A friend of the deceased also claimed that three armed soldiers forced their way into the house while Jamiu was with his younger siblings. According to the account, he locked his door out of fear, but the soldiers allegedly fired multiple shots through it, killing him.
The friend further alleged that the soldiers initially prevented attempts to seek help and later arranged for the scene to be cleaned, raising concerns about a possible cover-up.
Read Also;
NYSC Family Disputes Army’s Account, Insists Corps Member Was Shot Inside His Home
The incident has since sparked protests, with demonstrators gathering near the residence and demanding accountability, chanting “Justice for Samad.”
Online reactions have also been intense, with many Nigerians questioning the Army’s version of events and calling for a transparent investigation. Some described the incident as a possible case of extrajudicial killing, urging authorities to hold those responsible accountable.
In response to the growing outrage, the Nigerian Army said it has launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and promised that its findings will be made public.
The tragedy has reignited concerns about military conduct in civilian areas and the need for greater accountability in internal security operations.
