They Told Me It Was a Mistake, Says Father of Slain Corps Member
Sani Jimoh, father of Abdulsamad Jamiu, a National Youth Service Corps member allegedly killed by soldiers in Dei-Dei, Abuja, has said the Nigerian Army admitted responsibility for his son’s death, describing it as a mistake.
Earlier, PUNCH Online reported that the Guards Brigade Headquarters of the Nigerian Army claimed the deceased was caught in crossfire during a gun battle with suspected armed robbers.
In a statement issued last Sunday, the Brigade’s spokesperson, Odunola Olawuyi, said troops had responded to a distress call about an armed robbery and were fired upon by fleeing suspects.
“Upon arrival, the troops came under gunfire from the fleeing armed robbers, resulting in a brief but intense exchange. In the course of the engagement, Mr Jamiu was caught in the crossfire,” the statement read.
He described the incident as tragic, adding that troops had acted to secure the area and protect residents, but Jamiu later died from his injuries.
A delegation from the Nigerian Army reportedly visited the family on Monday to offer condolences and inspect the scene.
However, the deceased’s family has rejected the Army’s account, insisting that physical evidence contradicts claims of any exchange of gunfire.
Speaking with TheCable during a visit to the family home, Jimoh said he and his wife had travelled to Kogi State for a burial when they received a distress call from their daughter around 2 a.m. on April 25.
According to him, the soldiers said they entered the compound while chasing a suspected thief.
“They said they were pursuing a thief but could not see him. They went through the back and noticed the barbed wire had been tampered with, so they assumed someone had jumped into my compound,” he said.
Jimoh added that the soldiers claimed they entered the house because the main door appeared unlocked and then tried to force open his son’s room.
“I asked how they gained access to the main house, and they said the door seemed unlocked.
“After entering, they tried to open Samad’s room, but someone inside was pushing against the door. Then what happened happened,” he said.
The grieving father questioned how the situation escalated into a fatal shooting, stressing that his son was inside his room when he was killed.
“They told me, ‘Oga, calm down, it was a mistake,’” Jimoh said.
He further disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer in Dei-Dei described the incident as unfortunate and careless, adding that police requested a written statement and undertaking before releasing his son’s body.
Meanwhile, the deceased’s sister, Jamiu Farida, said she woke up to the sound of gunshots before soldiers allegedly dragged her outside.
“I pleaded with them that if I got down, they should not harm me,” she said.
“I thought they wanted to tell me my brother had escaped, until I discovered he was dead.”
She also alleged that one of the soldiers warned her to remain silent, while vigilante members were later invited to clean the scene.
“The soldiers called vigilantes to clean the blood, and they did,” she claimed.