Hunger Protest: “Soldiers Followed My Son Home, Shot Him” – Father Alleges

The father of Ismail Mohammed, who was tragically killed in Samaru Zaria on Tuesday, has accused soldiers of fatally shooting his son.

Malam Mohammed recounted the harrowing incident in an interview, stating that soldiers who were dispersing people followed his son to their home and shot him. “My son, about 19 years old, was outside when the soldiers began shooting. He ran inside and locked the door, but the soldiers followed him and shot through the door. I was at Hayin Dogo when Abubakar called to inform me of the incident. It took me an hour to reach home after Ismail was killed,” he said.

Army Promises Investigation into Zaria Shooting

The Nigerian Army has pledged to investigate the death of 18-year-old Isma’il Muhammad, who was allegedly shot by a soldier on patrol in Samaru, Zaria. Maj.-Gen. MLD Saraso, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, visited the bereaved family on Tuesday, expressing his condolences and addressing the local youth.

“The incident is unfortunate,” Saraso stated, urging the community to maintain peace and comply with the law. He assured a thorough investigation and invited anyone with substantial evidence to come forward.

Mother’s Account of the Tragic Incident

Zainab Sani, the mother of the deceased, provided further details about the shooting, which occurred around 9:00 a.m. at their residence on Sarkin Pawa Street, Samaru, Zaria. She described a scene of terror as her son played with friends and his brother before soldiers approached.

“One of the soldiers pointed his gun at them, prompting them to run into the house and shut the gate,” she said. She alleged that a soldier shot at the gate, killing Isma’il, who was trying to block the soldiers from entering.

Zainab added that her son had recently completed his final secondary school examination in Zaria and was seeking admission to further his education when his life was abruptly cut short.