The family of a National Youth Service Corps member, Abdulsamad Jamiu, has rejected the Nigerian Army’s explanation of how he died in Dei-Dei, Abuja, insisting that he was shot inside his home and not caught in any crossfire as claimed by the military.
The Army had earlier said that troops of the Guards Brigade responded to a distress call about an armed robbery on April 25 and engaged fleeing suspects in a brief exchange of gunfire, during which Jamiu was allegedly caught in the crossfire.
According to the military’s account, the incident occurred while soldiers were trying to restore order in the area, describing the death as “tragic” and unintended.
However, the family has strongly disputed this version, describing it as false and misleading, and insisting that the 24-year-old was killed inside his residence in the early hours of the morning.
In their account, soldiers reportedly entered the compound in Dei-Dei Shagari Quarters around 2:00 a.m. and fired a shot through a closed bedroom door, hitting Jamiu.
They further stated that his sister was inside the house at the time, while their parents were away for a burial ceremony in Okene.
The family argued that the nature of the injury shows the shot was fired from outside the room and not during any exchange of gunfire, insisting there was no evidence of armed robbery suspects at the scene.
They also claimed that no weapon was recovered and no signs of a shootout were found, questioning the military’s explanation of events.
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According to the family, residents in the area reported hearing only a single gunshot that night — the one that killed Jamiu.
They further alleged that soldiers on the scene admitted the killing was a mistake in the presence of a senior police officer, a claim they say was documented.
The family also accused the soldiers of attempting to interfere with evidence, including instructing vigilante members to clean up blood at the scene.
They are now calling for a full, independent investigation into the incident, the identification of those involved, and a public retraction of the Army’s statement, along with an official apology.
“The family seeks justice, not revenge,” a statement from the family said, insisting that accountability is necessary to establish the truth of what happened.
