‘He was shot in his room’- Family rejects Army’s account of NYSC member’s killing in Abuja, demands probe

The family of Abdulsamad Jamiu, an NYSC member killed in the Shagari Estate area of Abuja, has formally rejected the Nigerian Army’s account of his death. On Sunday, the Army claimed Jamiu was a victim of “crossfire” during a volatile exchange with armed robbers in the early hours of April 25. The military maintained that troops were responding to a distress call when the unfortunate incident occurred.

In a detailed rebuttal, the family described the military’s narrative as a complete fabrication unsupported by physical evidence. They stated that Jamiu was killed at approximately 2 a.m. on Saturday when soldiers scaled the fence of their residence while their parents were away. According to the family, the trajectory of the bullet proves the shot was fired from outside through a closed bedroom door.

The family argued that there is no evidence of an adversary or a robbery occurring in the community that night. They pointed out that no weapons or non-military shell casings were recovered from the scene, and the gate to the premises remained intact. “The trajectory of the bullet — confirmed by physical examination… establishes that the shot was fired from outside the room, through a closed door,” the statement noted.

Serious allegations of an attempted cover-up were also raised regarding the conduct of the soldiers immediately after the shooting. The family claimed that members of a local vigilance group were instructed by the military to “mop up the blood and flush it” upon their arrival. This directive has sparked major concerns regarding the intentional destruction of forensic evidence at the crime scene.

Most significantly, the family alleged that the soldiers involved admitted the shooting was a “mistake” in the presence of the Divisional Police Officer. This purported admission was reportedly documented in a written statement, directly contradicting the Army’s official public report. The family is now calling for a full retraction of the “crossfire” narrative and a formal apology.

Demanding justice, the family has requested an independent investigation with civilian oversight to ensure transparency. They are seeking the immediate suspension and prosecution of the personnel responsible for Jamiu’s death. As of Monday afternoon, the Nigerian Army has not responded to the family’s specific allegations of a documented confession or the alleged tampering with the scene.