Protest: Army confirms arrest of soldier who killed 16-year-old protester
Army
Protest: Army confirms arrest of soldier who killed 16-year-old protester
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the detention of a soldier who allegedly shot a 16-year-old boy during a confrontation with protesters in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, when the soldier fired a warning shot that led to the death of Ismail Mohammed.
A statement on Wednesday by the Army of Director Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, verified the soldier’s arrest and said he is under investigation for the circumstances surrounding the disastrous shooting.
Nwachukwu stated that the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja has sent a delegation led by the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Maj Gen Lander Saraso to visit and condole with the family of the 16-year-old deceased.
Nwachukwu wrote, “On 6 August 2024, troops of the Nigerian Army received a distress call that some hoodlums gathered in Samaru in large numbers, burning tires on the road and pelting stones on security personnel. 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 of the time of this report.
“Saddened by the unfortunate incident, the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja has 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.”
Nwachukwu in the release stressed that the deceased was buried according to Islamic rites with the attendance of some senior military officers.
