Family of slain NYSC member rejects soldiers’ ‘crossfire’ claims, demands investigation

The bereaved family of Abdulsamad Jamiu, a 24-year-old member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has issued a scathing rebuttal to the Nigerian Army’s report on his death, and described the military’s “crossfire” narrative as a fabrication.

The family stated that the young graduate was not the victim of a gunfight between soldiers and robbers in Dei-Dei, Abuja, but was shot inside his bedroom after soldiers illegally scaled the fence of his residence in the early hours of April 25, 2026.

According to the Guard Brigade Headquarters, Jamiu was the unfortunate victim of a security operation triggered by a distress call from citizens attacked by armed robbers.

In a statement released on Saturday, the brigade’s spokesperson, Odunola Olawuyi, called the incident a “tragic” result of a tactical confrontation.

“Upon arrival, the troops came under fire from the fleeing armed robbers, resulting in a short but intense firefight. As the fighting progressed, Jamiu was caught in the crossfire,” said Olawuyi.

The Army emphasized that their main goal was to secure the area and protect the population, although Jamiu later died from his wounds.

In a detailed and emotional statement issued on Monday, Jamiu’s family categorically rejected the military’s claims, and stated that the Army’s version of events was “false, misleading, and an insult to the memory of an innocent young man.”

They revealed that Jamiu was at home in Dei-Dei Shagari Area while his parents were in Okene for the funeral. At around 02.00 am, soldiers allegedly entered the complex secretly.

“This is not a pattern of entry of a unit responding to an active armed robbery in the course of a lawful pursuit. This is a pattern of entry of a surreptitious, unannounced, and unlawful forcible entry into a private residence,” the family said.

The family further alleged that Jamiu was shot through his bedroom door. Her sister, who was present, was reportedly told by soldiers to come out and “calm down” after she heard gunshots.

“The trajectory of the bullets… conclusively establishes that the shots were fired from outside the room, through a closed door,” the family said, adding that this was “not consistent with a gunfight” but rather “consistent with military personnel firing a deadly weapon at someone they could not see.”

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The family highlighted significant inconsistencies in the Army’s report, and noted that local residents and residents only reported hearing one gunshot—the one that killed Abdulsamad.

“Every witness was consistent on one important thing: the only gunshots heard that night were shots inside the Jamiu family residence,” they said.

Challenging claims of an exchange of fire with robbers, the statement added: “The exchange of fire assumes the presence of an enemy who was armed and actively shooting. No enemy was identified. No weapons were recovered from the scene.”

Perhaps most importantly, the family claims that soldiers at the scene initially felt remorseful before the “shootout” narrative occurred.

“The soldiers admitted that the killing of Abdulsamad Jamiu was a mistake. They admitted that they had killed an innocent person,” the statement said, noting that this confession was documented in the presence of the Divisional Police Officer.

The family also raised concerns regarding the preservation of the crime scene, alleging that “the vigilante members were instructed by military personnel to wipe up the blood and hose it down.” They noted that this directive raises “serious questions” about efforts to destroy evidence.

Demanding a full retraction and an independent investigation, the family called for the suspension and prosecution of the personnel involved.

“The Nigerian military operates under a constitutional mandate to protect Nigerian citizens. On the evening of April 25, 2026, that mandate was fatally and fatally violated.

“The family does not want revenge. The family seeks justice. Justice requires truth. Justice requires accountability,” concluded the statement.