The Nigerian Army has detained a soldier involved in the shooting death of a 16-year-old boy, Ismail Mohammed, while attempting to disperse a violent mob in Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State, on Tuesday.
According to a statement from the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, troops responded to a distress call reporting a large group of hoodlums in Samaru who were burning tires and attacking security personnel.
Upon arrival, the troops aimed to disperse the crowd and enforce the curfew imposed by the State Government. However, Nwachukwu reported that the hoodlums aggressively confronted the soldiers, leading one soldier to fire a warning shot. Tragically, this shot resulted in the death of Ismail Mohammed.
The soldier involved has been detained and is currently under interrogation, Nwachukwu added.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, expressed deep sorrow over the incident. A high-powered delegation, led by Maj.-Gen. Lander Saraso, General Officer Commanding 1 Division, was dispatched to offer condolences to the deceased’s family. The burial was conducted according to Islamic rites, with senior military officers in attendance.
