The family of killed National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Abdulsamad Jamiu, has countered the Nigerian Army’s claim that he died in a crossfire during an operation in Abuja.
They maintained that Jamiu was shot in his room, and therefore demanded an independent investigation into the matter.
According to the family, the Guards Brigade Quick Response Force’s report did not agree with the evidence at the scene, adding that it didn’t align with what transpired during the operation in Dei-Dei, Shagari Estate.
The family said their son was shot at around 2am when soldiers invaded the estate, adding that the shooting was faulty and avoidable.
They disputed the Army’s claim that their son was caught in an exchange of gunfire, saying “he was shot in his room,” after troops responded to a distress call over a suspected robbery attack.
The family said a bullet was fired through the door of Jamiu’s room from outside, hitting him in the head, adding that the bullet trajectory and visible damage at the scene did not show it was a crossfire, and that the proof showed he was not killed in an armed confrontation.
“The shot was fired from outside the room, through a closed door,” the family insisted.
They demanded for the identification, suspension and prosecution of personnel responsible for the shooting, just as they sought a withdrawal of the military’s earlier statement, arguing it was inconsistent with available facts and prior admissions.
They demanded a formal public apology.
Earlier, the Guards Brigade said fleeing robbers fired at the soldiers and that the late corps member was caught in the ensuing exchange.
