KADUNA (Sundiata Post) – The Nigerian Army has explained the circumstances which led to the killing of a 16-year-old protester, Ismail Mohammed by a soldier in Samaru, Sabon Gari local government area of Kaduna State.
In a statement, the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu explained that on Tuesday, August 6, troops of the Nigerian Army received a distress call that some hoodlums gathered in Samaru in large numbers, burning tyres on the road and pelting stones at security personnel.
He said the troops immediately mobilised and arrived at the scene to disperse the mob and enforce the curfew imposed by the state government.
“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-year-old boy Ismail Mohammed.
“The soldier involved has since been arrested and undergoing interrogation as at the time of this report,” the Army spokesman said.
Nwachukwu disclosed that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja was saddened by the unfortunate incident and 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,” the Army spokesman further stated.
