Protest Erupts After Army Links NYSC Death To Crossfire
Public scrutiny has intensified around the Nigerian Army following the death of Abdulsamad Jamiu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps, in Dei-Dei, Abuja, with sharply conflicting accounts raising questions about what transpired in the early hours of Saturday.
In an official statement issued on Sunday, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Odunola Olawuyi, said troops from a Quick Response Group were on routine patrol when they responded to a distress call linked to an armed robbery. According to the Army, the troops came under fire from fleeing suspects, leading to a gun exchange during which Jamiu was “caught in the crossfire.”
That account has been challenged by individuals identifying as relatives and friends of the deceased, who have circulated videos and posts on social media presenting a different version of events. A TikTok user, #Zarah.2, who claimed to be related to Jamiu, alleged in a widely shared video that soldiers entered the residence around 2:00 a.m., shot through his door, and fatally wounded him.
“Nigeria has happened to our family. Justice must be done for my brother Abdulsamad,” the user wrote, adding, “You just go into somebody’s house, go straight to the guy’s room, shoot his door twice, and burst the guy’s head… a guy that will be done with service next month.”
The same account further alleged that the soldiers attempted to clean the scene and later described the incident as a mistake.
A separate post on X by #Mohamazinggg, identified as a friend of the deceased, also disputed the Army’s version. The post claimed that armed soldiers forced entry into the house while Jamiu was with his younger siblings and shot through his locked door multiple times. “A bullet hit his head, and another hit his stomach. They killed him in his own home,” the post stated.
The friend further alleged that the soldiers restricted movement within the house and prevented immediate efforts to seek help, while also involving local vigilantes to clean the scene. These claims have not been independently verified by authorities at the time of filing this report.
The incident has triggered protests at the residence, with videos showing demonstrators holding placards and chanting “Justice for Samad,” as security personnel monitored the situation. Public reaction online has also been significant, with users questioning the Army’s account and calling for accountability.
A Community Note attached to the Army’s post on X highlighted discrepancies between the official statement and witness claims, noting that accounts of forced entry and targeted shooting contradict the crossfire narrative.
Reacting to the development, several users demanded a transparent investigation. One comment read, “Investigate this matter thoroughly; this was a case of extrajudicial killing.” Another described the incident as “a painful and unacceptable loss” that could further erode confidence in the security system.
In its statement, the Nigerian Army said an internal investigation has been initiated. “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,” it stated.
As of the time of reporting, no official findings have been released, and the circumstances surrounding Jamiu’s death remain under investigation.