The Nigerian Army announced that a soldier who killed a 16-year-old protester in Zaria has been arrested.
Army spokesperson Onyema Nwachukwu stated on Wednesday that soldiers were enforcing a 24-hour curfew in Kaduna and Zaria following reports of violence during nationwide protests.
He explained that soldiers in the Samaru area of Zaria were attacked by hoodlums throwing stones and burning tires despite the curfew.
Nwachukwu said the soldier fired a warning shot to disperse the crowd but accidentally killed the boy.
“On 6 August 2024, troops of the Nigerian Army received a distress call about hoodlums gathering in Samaru, burning tires, and pelting security personnel with stones,” the statement read.
“The troops mobilized to the scene to disperse the mob and enforce the curfew imposed by the state government. Upon arrival, the hoodlums attempted to attack the troops, prompting a soldier to fire a warning shot, which unfortunately led to the death of 16-year-old Ismail Mohammed. The soldier involved has been arrested and is undergoing interrogation.”
Chief of Army Staff Taoreed Lagbaja sent a high-powered delegation, led by General Officer Lander Saraso, to visit and condole with the deceased’s family. The boy has been buried according to Islamic rites, with senior military officers attending the burial.
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