By Ayodele Oni
The family of late National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Member, Abdulsamad Jamiu, has faulted the Nigerian Army’s account of how he died during a security operation in Dei-Dei Shagari Quarters, Abuja.
The family insisted that he was not killed in a crossfire with armed robbers, but was shot at close range by military personnel inside his home.
In a formal statement of rebuttal, the family described the military’s version of events as “false, misleading, and an affront to the memory of an innocent young man. It is demanding an independent investigation, public apology, and prosecution of those responsible.
The family pointed out that Abdulsamad, 24, was inside his room at about 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, when soldiers allegedly entered the family residence and fired through the closed door of his room, killing him instantly with a gunshot to the head.
“This statement is issued on behalf of the immediate family of the late Abdulsamad Jamiu, who was killed in the early hours of Saturday, 25th April 2026, at his residence in Dei-Dei Shagari Quarters, Abuja.
“It is issued in direct and formal response to the account of events published by the Nigerian Military, which the family, supported by physical evidence, witness testimony, and the military’s own partial admissions, categorically rejects as false, misleading, and an affront to the memory of an innocent young man.
”The family maintained that the bullet trajectory—from the room door to the interior wall—clearly proves the fatal shot came from outside the room through a closed door, not during any gun battle.
“The shot struck Abdulsamad Jamiu in the head, killing him instantly. The trajectory of the bullet… conclusively establishes that the shot was fired from outside the room, through the closed door, into the room where Abdulsamad Jamiu was situated.”
According to the family, there was no armed robbery in the area that night contrary to the Army’s claim that troops were pursuing fleeing robbers.
The family maintained that the community vigilante group confirmed no robbery was reported in Dei-Dei Shagari Quarters that night and that the only gunshot heard by residents was the one that killed Abdulsamad.
“Every witness in the community — neighbours, vigilante members, and residents — is consistent on one critical point: the only gunshot heard that night was the shot fired inside the Jamiu family residence. The shot that killed Abdulsamad Jamiu,” the family stated.
It further alleged that soldiers entered the premises by scaling the fence rather than using the gate, describing it as unlawful forced entry rather than a legitimate security pursuit.
“The gate to the premises was intact and undamaged at the time of the incident. The point of entry used by the military personnel was the fence, which they scaled.”
The family also accused the soldiers of instructing vigilante members to mop up and flush the victim’s blood instead of preserving the crime scene for investigation, raising serious concerns over possible evidence tampering.
In what was described as the most damaging contradiction, the family claimed the soldiers admitted at the scene, in the presence of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), that the killing was a mistake and that they had shot an innocent man.
“The military personnel present at the scene… acknowledged that the shooting of Abdulsamad Jamiu was a mistake and that they had killed an innocent person.
“This acknowledgement was made in the presence of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and was recorded in a written statement.”
The family stated that the Army cannot privately admit wrongdoing and then publicly claim the deceased died in a legitimate exchange of gunfire.
“One is the truth. The other is a fabrication. The family submits that the admission made before the DPO is the truth, and that the public statement is the fabrication.”
The family has now demanded answers from the Nigerian Army, including the identity of the unit involved, who authorised the operation, why soldiers fired through a closed door, and where the alleged armed robbers were if such an operation truly occurred.
It also called on the Army Human Rights Desk, the National Human Rights Commission, the Inspector General of Police, and relevant oversight bodies to intervene and ensure accountability.
Among their demands are an independent civilian-led investigation, suspension and prosecution of the soldiers involved, withdrawal of the Army’s public statement, and a formal apology.
“The family does not seek vengeance. The family seeks justice. These are not the same thing, and the distinction matters. Justice requires truth. Justice requires accountability.
“The family of Abdulsamad Jamiu will not be silenced. They will not be gaslit. They will pursue every legal, institutional, and civic avenue available to them until the truth of what happened to their son is publicly acknowledged and those responsible are held to full account.
“Abdulsamad Jamiu deserves justice. His family deserves truth. Nigeria deserves better.”
