‘They shot him through the door of his room,’ family disputes army’s account on slain NYSC member
The death of 24-year-old corps member Abdulsamad Jamiu in Abuja has sparked outrage and conflicting narratives, with his family alleging he was shot inside his room by soldiers despite identifying himself moments earlier.
Jamiu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps, was nearing the end of his service year in Karu, Nasarawa State, before the fatal incident occurred in Dakwa, a community in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
Father slain Abdulsamad Jamiu recounts final moments
According to his father, Engr. Sani Jimoh, the incident happened in the early hours of Saturday while he was away in Okene, Kogi State. He said his daughter, Farida, who was at home, heard a gunshot and encountered three soldiers who claimed they were pursuing a suspect.
Moments later, she discovered her brother unresponsive in his room.
The father rejected the military’s explanation, insisting there was no robbery incident in the area and that his son was inside a locked room at the time.
He said witnesses heard Jamiu asking, “Who is there?” before shots were fired through the wooden door of his room.
Army version vs family claims
The Nigerian Army had earlier stated that troops responding to a distress call about a robbery came under fire from fleeing suspects, and that Jamiu was caught in crossfire.
However, the family disputes this account, describing it as inconsistent with the physical evidence and eyewitness testimonies. They also alleged that the scene was tampered with before police arrived.
During a condolence visit, an Army delegation reportedly acknowledged gaps in its initial explanation and assured the family that those involved would be investigated.
Community tension and protests
Residents in Dakwa have since protested, accusing soldiers—reportedly from the 102 Guards Battalion near Zuma Barracks—of harassment and enforcing an unofficial curfew in the area.
Some locals claimed they had been assaulted for being outdoors after 10 p.m., raising broader concerns about military conduct in civilian communities.
It was alleged that someone had complained to a senior military officer about insecurity in the area following an attack by kidnappers.
Subsequently, the army approved the deployment of soldiers to the area to protect the community. However, residents claimed the soldiers have become a new menace in the community.
Calls for justice
The family is demanding accountability, compensation, and a transparent investigation. The father also called for those responsible to be punished, insisting that justice must go beyond official statements.
The Nigerian Army says investigations are ongoing, while the NYSC, through its spokesperson, expressed sadness over the loss and confirmed it is monitoring developments.
Jamiu, described by friends and relatives as disciplined and soft-spoken, was also known in his community as a Qur’anic teacher.
His death, just weeks before completing national service, has deepened public concern over civilian safety during security operations.
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