Father of slain NYSC member says soldiers admitted killing was a mistake

The father of Abdulsamad Jamiu, a serving member of Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has revealed that military personnel allegedly told him his son’s death was a mistake following a fatal incident in Abuja.

Jamiu was killed in the early hours of April 25 at Shagari Estate in Dei-Dei, Abuja, during an operation involving soldiers from the Guards Brigade Quick Response Force. According to an earlier statement by the military, troops had responded to a distress call from residents who reported an attack by suspected armed robbers. The army said its personnel came under fire from the fleeing suspects, leading to a brief exchange of gunfire during which the corps member was hit.

However, the deceased’s family has strongly disputed that version of events. They insist that evidence at the scene does not support claims of a shootout. Jamiu’s father, Sani Jimoh, said he was out of town with his wife in Kogi State for a family burial when they received a distress call from their daughter around 2 a.m. informing them of the tragedy.

Jimoh, speaking with TheCable said he spoke directly with the soldiers involved, who explained that they had been chasing a suspected thief. According to him, the soldiers claimed they noticed signs of tampering with the barbed wire fence around his compound and assumed a suspect had entered the premises.

He recounted that the operatives said they gained access to the house through an unlocked door and attempted to force open a room where they believed the suspect was hiding. It was during this process, Jimoh said, that the fatal shooting occurred.

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“I asked them how it led to my son being shot inside his room,” he said. “They told me to calm down and said it was a mistake.”

Jimoh also disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer in Dei-Dei described the incident as both unfortunate and careless. He added that police authorities have requested a formal written statement and an undertaking from the family before releasing Jamiu’s body for burial.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has sent a delegation to visit the bereaved family and assess the scene, offering condolences. Despite this, the family maintains that the official account does not reflect what truly happened and is demanding clarity and accountability over the circumstances surrounding the killing.