A soldier belonging to the Nigerian Army has killed a 16-year-old protester in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The deceased, identified as Ismail Mohammed, was reportedly shot dead on Tuesday, August 6.
Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday, adding that the concerned soldier has been arrested and undergoing interrogation.
He explained that the troops received a distress call that some hoodlums gathered in Samaru in large numbers, burning tires on the road and pelting stones on 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 attacking 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 at the time of this report,” Onyema Nwachukwu said.
“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,” he added.