He was “shot at close range” — Family rejects Army’s account of NYSC member’s death, demands independent probe

The family of Abdulsamad Jamiu, a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member who was killed by soldiers of the Guards Brigade Quick Response Force in Dei-Dei, Shagari Estate, Abuja, has dismissed the military’s version of events.

In a statement, the Guards Brigade headquarters said Jamiu was caught in a crossfire on April 25 when troops responded to a distress call from residents reportedly under attack by armed robbers.

“Upon arrival, the troops came under gunfire from the fleeing armed robbers, resulting in a brief but intense exchange,” the statement reads.

“In the course of the engagement, Mr Jamiu was caught in the crossfire. Despite efforts by troops to secure the area and preserve lives, he sadly succumbed to his injuries.”

The brigade described the situation as “fluid and highly volatile” and said the deceased’s remains were handed over to civil authorities at Kubwa General Hospital.

However, the family, in a statement on Sunday, said “physical evidence disproves an exchange of gunfire”, insisting that their son was killed around 2am on Saturday when military personnel entered the estate.

According to the family, Jamiu’s sister was at home during the incident, while their parents were away in Okene for a burial ceremony.

“Nigerian military personnel discharged a firearm at close range through the door of Abdulsamad’s room. The shot struck him in the head, killing him instantly,” the statement reads.

“The trajectory of the bullet — confirmed by physical examination of the bullet hole, which runs from the room door to the wall — establishes that the shot was fired from outside the room, through a closed door.”

The family argued that a crossfire situation implies the presence of an armed opponent actively engaging, noting that no such individual had been identified or accounted for.

“No such adversary has been identified, produced, or accounted for. No weapon was recovered from the scene. No shell casings attributed to any party other than the military have been documented,” the statement added.

They further claimed that soldiers gained entry by scaling the fence, with visible remnants of damaged barbed wire still at the scene.

The family also noted that the estate gate remained intact and that no robbery incident was reported that night.

According to them, Jamiu’s sister rushed downstairs after hearing the gunshot but was told by soldiers to go outside and “calm down”.

Neighbours who heard the gunfire alerted the community vigilance group, but upon arrival, members were allegedly instructed by the soldiers to “mop up the blood and flush it”, a directive the family said raises concerns about evidence preservation.

Jamiu’s body was later taken to the hospital by police officers.

The family said they endured hours of questioning and administrative processes before being allowed to retrieve his remains for burial.

They also claimed that when confronted, the soldiers admitted the shooting was a mistake and acknowledged killing an innocent person.

The family is now calling for an immediate, independent and transparent investigation into the incident, conducted outside the military’s chain of command and with full civilian oversight.

They also demanded the identification, suspension and prosecution of those responsible, along with a retraction of the army’s earlier statement and a corrected account reflecting the available evidence.

In addition, the family is seeking a formal public apology from the army.