By Hadiza Suleman
The soldier that killed a 16-year-old who was protesting against Nigeria’s acute hunger in the ongoing #EndBadGovernance has been arrested.
The deceased, identified as Ismail Mohammed, was killed on Tuesday in Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State.
The arrest of the protester was contained in a statement by the military defence authorities.
The statement, entitled “Unfortunate death of a protester by a soldier in Zaria”, was signed by the director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyeama Nwachukwu.
According to the statement, “On 6 August 2024, troops of the Nigerian Army received a distress call that some hoodlums gathered in Samaru in large numbers, burning tyres on the road and pelting stones at 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.
“The deceased was buried according to Islamic rites with senior military officers of the Nigerian Army in attendance.”
