The Nigerian Army is facing intense public criticism following the death of Abdulsamad Jamiu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who was killed in the Dei-Dei area of the Federal Capital Territory in the early hours of Saturday.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Odunola Olawuyi, explained that troops of the Quick Response Group were on routine night patrol when they responded to a distress call about an armed robbery incident. According to the Army, the personnel reportedly came under fire from fleeing suspects, which led to a “gun duel,” during which Jamiu was allegedly caught in the crossfire.
However, this official account was quickly disputed by relatives and friends of the deceased, who presented a contrasting version of events. In a viral video recorded at the scene, a TikTok user identified as #Zarah.2, who claimed to be a relative of Jamiu, alleged that soldiers scaled the fence around 2:00 a.m. and fired into his room through the door, hitting him in the head.
In her account, she expressed grief and anger over the incident, insisting that the actions taken in the house were unjustified. She further alleged that the soldiers attempted to downplay the incident, describing it as a mistake, and even cleaned up the blood at the scene before the family returned.
Army Under Pressure Over Incident Account
Additional claims came from a friend of the deceased, posting on X as #Mohamazinggg, who stated that three armed military personnel allegedly forced their way into the residence while Jamiu was at home with his younger siblings, as their parents were away. He explained that Jamiu reportedly locked himself in his room for safety, but the soldiers allegedly fired through the door, striking him multiple times and killing him inside the house.
The friend further alleged that the victim’s sister was prevented from seeking help immediately, and that local vigilantes were later called to the scene. He also claimed that the body was removed before clear explanations were provided about what transpired.
The incident has since triggered widespread outrage on social media, with many Nigerians demanding accountability and questioning the conduct of security operatives in civilian environments. A video shared by #pjbulama showed protesters gathered at the residence, holding placards and chanting “Justice for Samad,” while security personnel, including soldiers and police officers, were stationed at the scene.
Public reactions have continued to grow, with some users rejecting the Army’s explanation and calling for a thorough investigation. A Community Note attached to the Army’s post on X also highlighted contradictions between the official statement and witness accounts, particularly allegations that soldiers entered the house and shot through a locked door.
In response to the backlash, the Nigerian Army maintained that an investigation has already been launched to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident. The Army assured that the outcome of the probe would be made public, reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability.
“The Brigade has since initiated a thorough investigation to fully ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident. We remain committed to transparency and accountability, and findings will be made available in due course,” the statement read.
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