Family rejects army’s account, gives own version of Abuja Youth Corper’s killing

Crime Diary

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) —The family of Abdulsamad Jamiu, a 24-year-old serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has rejected claims by the Nigerian Army that he was killed in crossfire during a shootout with armed robbers in Abuja.

In a detailed rebuttal statement issued on April 26, the family described the military’s account of the April 25 incident in Dei-Dei Shagari Quarters as “false, misleading, and an affront to the memory of an innocent young man.”

The Army had earlier stated that Jamiu died after being caught in an exchange of gunfire as troops engaged suspected criminals. However, the family insisted that available evidence contradicts that narrative.

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According to the statement, military personnel entered the family residence at about 2:00 a.m., where Jamiu was inside his room. His sister was also in the house at the time, while their parents were away attending a burial in Okene.

The family alleged that soldiers fired a shot at close range through the door of Jamiu’s room, striking him in the head and killing him instantly.

They said the trajectory of the bullet—running from the door into the interior wall—indicates the shot was fired from outside the room, disputing claims of a gun battle.

The statement further claimed that after the shooting, Jamiu’s sister was instructed by soldiers to leave the scene, while neighbours who alerted a local vigilante group were told to clean up bloodstains—an action the family says raises concerns about possible tampering with evidence.

Police officers later transported the victim’s body to Kubwa General Hospital, with the family required to complete formal procedures before retrieving the remains for burial.

The family also alleged that military personnel at the scene admitted the shooting was a mistake and acknowledged that Jamiu was innocent. The admission, they said, was made in the presence of a Divisional Police Officer and documented in a written statement.

Rejecting the Army’s position, the family argued that the physical evidence does not support the claim of an exchange of gunfire, insisting that Jamiu was shot inside his room without provocation.

They called for accountability, emphasizing that the case raises serious concerns about the conduct of security forces and the need to uphold the rule of law.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army has not issued a fresh response to the family’s allegations.