- Following the 24-hour curfew in Kaduna, security personnel were attacked by hoodlums, prompting a soldier to fire a shot
- The warning shot allegedly killed one of the protesters, a 16-year-old boy
- The Nigerian Army disclosed that the soldier involved has been arrested and is undergoing interrogation
A 16-year-old boy, Ismail Mohammed, has been allegedly killed by a soldier during a protest on August 6. The incident happened in Samaru, a famous town in Zaria, Kaduna State, the Nigerian Army has confirmed.
According to a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, on August 7, he said soldiers were enforcing the 24-hour curfew imposed on Kaduna and Zaria metropolis following reports of violence during the nationwide protest. He said the soldiers were attacked by some hoodlums while enforcing the curfew in the Samaru area of Zaria.
Nwachukwu added that hoodlums were throwing stones at security personnel and burning tyres despite the curfew, and the soldier fired a warning shot in a bid to disperse the protesters but accidentally killed the boy.
The soldier involved has been arrested and is undergoing interrogation, Mr Nwachukwu, a major general, said.
“On 6 August 2024, 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,” the statement reads.
“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 to attack 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 statement added that Toareed Lagbaja, chief of army staff, sent a high-powered delegation to visit and condole with the family of the deceased. The delegation was led by Lander Saraso, general officer commanding 1 division.
The spokesperson said the deceased had been buried according to Islamic rites, adding that senior military officers attended the burial.
Protest: Confusion in Maiduguri as police relax curfew for Juma’at prayers
Meanwhile, in an earlier report, TheRadar reported that citizens of Maiduguri, Borno State, were confused after the police declared ease of the 24-hour curfew for Muslims to observe Juma'at prayer. The curfew was earlier declared on August 1 following a deadly explosion amid a hunger protest.
However, the citizens needed clarification as town criers warned against going out, and major streets were deserted.