Army, family disagree over circumstances of NYSC member’s death in Abuja

A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Abdulsamad Jamiu, has been killed in a shooting involving soldiers of the Guards Brigade Quick Response Force in Dei-Dei, Abuja, sparking controversy over the circumstances surrounding his death.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday at Shagari Estate in the Dei-Dei area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In a statement issued by the headquarters of the Guards Brigade, the Nigerian Army said troops were deployed to the estate following a distress call from residents who reported an attack by suspected armed robbers.

According to the statement, soldiers encountered gunfire upon arrival.

“Upon arrival, the troops came under gunfire from the fleeing armed robbers, resulting in a brief but intense exchange,” the statement read.

The Army said Jamiu was caught in the crossfire during the exchange.

“In the course of the engagement, Mr. Jamiu was caught in the crossfire. Despite efforts by troops to secure the area and preserve lives, he sadly succumbed to his injuries,” the statement added.

The brigade described the security situation at the time as “fluid and highly volatile” and confirmed that the remains of the deceased were handed over to civil authorities at Kubwa General Hospital.

The Army extended its condolences to Jamiu’s family, the NYSC and the general public, while announcing that a full investigation had been launched into the incident.

Olawuyi Odunola, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the Guards Brigade, said the formation remains committed to protecting lives and property in the FCT and would review its operational procedures where necessary.

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However, a source said to be close to Jamiu’s family has strongly challenged the Army’s explanation, alleging that the official account does not reflect what truly happened.

In comments shared on X (formerly Twitter), the source claimed that soldiers fired indiscriminately and that there was no confirmed exchange of gunfire with armed robbers.

“The army is not telling the truth. Jamiu was not caught in any crossfire with robbers. The soldiers came shooting and killed him. This story of armed robbers and crossfire is a lie to cover what really happened,” the source alleged.

The individual further stated that residents of Shagari Estate remain in shock and are calling for an independent investigation beyond the military’s internal probe.

The incident has heightened concerns among residents of Dei-Dei, a densely populated suburb of Abuja, where security operations are not uncommon.

As of the time of filing this report, the NYSC had yet to issue an official statement regarding the death of its corps member.

The conflicting narratives have intensified demands for transparency and accountability, with community members urging authorities to ensure that the circumstances leading to Jamiu’s death are thoroughly and independently examined.