The Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of its personnel who fatally shot a 16-year-old #EndBadGovernance protester named Ismail Mohammed on Tuesday in Samaru, Zaria in Kaduna State.
Mohammed was reportedly amongst hundreds of protesters who took to the streets of Zaria to express their grievances with the government over the economic woes in the country before he was shot dead.
In a statement titled “Unfortunate death of a protester by a soldier in Zaria” signed by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyeama Nwachukwu, the army confirmed the arrest of the personnel.
The security operatives were enforcing a curfew earlier imposed on the ancient city by the Kaduna State Government.
Detailing the outcome of the incident, Nwachukwu said the troops received a distress call to help disperse some hoodlums, but the unfortunate incident happened when a mob attempted to attack the troops.
He said, “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,” the army said.