Hunger Protests: We Mistakenly Shot Dead Teenager, Says Army

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of a protester in Zaira, Kaduna State. The victim’s name, according to the Army is 16-year-old boy, Ismail Mohammed.

The NA spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Tuesday said the teenager’s death resulted from troops firing a warning shot to deter hoodlums and enforce the curfew imposed by the state government.

Explaining how the boy was killed, Nwachukwu, said the troops received a distress call reporting that a large group of hoodlums had gathered in Samaru, burning tyres on the road and pelting stones at security personnel.

The troops, according to him, were immediately mobilised and arrived at the scene to disperse the mob and enforce the curfew imposed by the state government.

On arrival “the hoodlums brazenly attempted attacking the troops prompting a soldier to fire” leading to the boy’s death.

The spokesman said the Army is saddened by the event, noting that the Chief of Army Staff, COAS has sent delegation to the family of the deceased to commiserate with them.

According to him, “On arrival at the scene, the hoodlums brazenly attempted attacking the troops prompting a soldier to fire a warning shot to scare the hoodlums away, which unfortunately led to the death of a 16 years old boy, Ismail Mohammed.

“Saddened by the unfortunate incident, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, has sent a high-powered delegation led by the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Maj Gen Lander Saraso, to visit and condole with the family of the deceased.”

“The deceased was buried according to Islamic rites with senior military officers of the Nigerian Army in attendance,” he said

The unfortunate incident came after  the Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa warned that the military will be forced to use force to quell the ongoing hardship and hunger protests across the country.

Not a few Nigerians have criticised the security agencies for using excessive force against the #endbadgovernance protest which has entered the seventh day on Wednesday.

For instance, Amnesty International at the weekend condemned Nigeria’s security forces for killing some protesters in some parts of the country where the protest is taking place.

Also, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had called out the security forces for killing and using disproportionate force against protesters, saying they have committed crime against humanity, which they will be made to account sooner than later.

”I wish to convey a stern caution to the distinguished service chiefs and military commanders of Nigeria’s armed forces that those who authorise the use of lethal force against peaceful civilian protesters will be held responsible for committing crimes against humanity, even in the years following their retirement from service.

“The constitutional right to engage in protest is firmly established within our supreme law and reinforced by the judiciary. It is the solemn duty of the government and security agencies to ensure a safe and protected environment for individuals exercising their right to peaceful protest,’ Atiku said on his X handle.