The Nigerian Army has announced that it has detained a soldier who has allegedly shot and killed a 16-year-old boy while attempting to stop hoodlums from perpetuating g mayhem in the in Samaru area of Zaria Kaduna state. The victim has been identified as Smail Mohammed,
The detention was announced in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja by the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu
The DAPR explained that the distress call was sent to the Army base on Tuesday and that some individuals suspected to be hoodlums had gathered at the Samaru area of Zaria, burning tyres and throwing stones at security personnel stationed in the area.
According to him, upon receiving the call, the troops immediately mobilised, and a term of soldiers was deployed to the area of incidence. He noted that troops were tasked with dispersing the gathered hoodlums and enforcing the curfew imposed in the state.
He explained that when the soldiers arrived at the scene of the incident, the hoodlums attempted to attack the police and other security agencies, and an attempt by the soldier to fire a warning shot to disperse and put fear in the mind of the hoodlums resulted in the misfire which caused the death of the 16-year-old boy.
Nwachukwu confirmed that the soldier involved in the death of the teenager has been arrested, and interrogations are currently going on within the Army. He expressed the disappointment of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. The unfortunate incident saddened Taoreed Lagbaja.
In a quick response from the Chief of Army Staff, Nwachukwu noted that a high-powered deligation was sent to visit the deceased’s family; the delegation was led by the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Maj.-Gen. Lander Saraso
The victim has been buried according to Islamic rites with senior military officers of the Army present during the burial proceedings, he said
