Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has praised the Nigerian Army for acknowledging that a soldier accidentally killed 16-year-old Ismail Mohammed in Samaru, Kaduna State.
In a statement, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, explained that on Tuesday, August 6, troops responded to a distress call about hoodlums gathering in large numbers, burning tyres, and throwing stones at security personnel in Samaru. As the troops attempted to disperse the crowd and enforce a curfew imposed by the state government, one soldier fired a warning shot that tragically struck and killed the young boy.
Atiku, in a statement released on Wednesday, commended the Army for admitting the incident and taking steps to reduce the resulting tension.
“I am heartened by the acknowledgement made by the Nigerian Army regarding the tragic incident that resulted in the loss of a young protester’s life,” Atiku said. He also called for thorough investigations into other instances of violence by the military, police, and security agencies during protests, emphasizing the need for accountability.
Atiku lauded the Army’s decision to detain the soldier responsible, viewing it as a commendable step towards accountability and upholding the rule of law. “I have consistently advised the service chiefs and military commanders that the use of lethal force against peaceful protesters must not be authorized. Upholding the principle of accountability is paramount, and the actions taken by the Nigerian Army in apprehending and, hopefully, prosecuting the soldier responsible for this incident align with this fundamental principle,” he added.
Atiku also stressed the importance of adhering to rules of engagement, stating that soldiers should not be deployed to suppress civil rights protests.
