"He Was Asleep in His Room": Family Rejects Army’s Claim, Says Corps Member Was Executed in Abuja Home.

The family of a 24 year old NYSC member killed in Abuja has directly contradicted the Nigerian Army's narrative, alleging he was shot through his bedroom door while asleep not caught in crossfire with armed robbers.

The family of Abdulsamad Jamiu has issued a detailed rebuttal to the Nigerian Army's account of his death in the early hours of 25 April in Dei-Dei, Abuja, insisting he was unlawfully killed inside his home.

PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported the army's claim that the corps member died in crossfire while soldiers pursued armed robbers.

But in a formal statement released on 26 April, the family described the military's narrative as "false, misleading, and an affront to the memory of an innocent young man."

What the Family Alleges

According to the family, soldiers entered their residence in Dei-Dei Shagari Quarters around 2:00 a.m. while Mr Jamiu was asleep in his room. His parents were reportedly out of town attending a burial in Kogi State.

The family alleged that military personnel fired a single shot through the closed door of Mr Jamiu's room, striking him in the head and killing him instantly. They noted that the bullet trajectory from the door into the room proves the shot came from outside.

"No weapon was recovered at the scene," the family said, adding that no other bullet casings were found apart from those linked to the soldiers. Residents reportedly heard only one gunshot, with no indication of a broader firefight.

The family also claimed that community vigilantes, contacted after the shooting, confirmed no robbery had been reported in the neighbourhood that night.

Claims of Admission and Tampered Evidence

The family accused the soldiers of scaling the fence to enter the compound covertly, rather than using the gate, and proceeding inside without announcing themselves.

They further alleged that soldiers at the scene admitted in the presence of police that the killing was a mistake and that Mr Jamiu was innocent. According to the family, this admission was documented in a statement before the Divisional Police Officer.

The family also raised concerns about the handling of the scene, claiming vigilante members were instructed by soldiers to clean up bloodstains instead of preserving evidence.

Demands for Justice

The family has demanded answers, including:

· The identity of the military unit involved

· The basis for the operation

· The whereabouts of the alleged armed robbers

· The release of the statement where soldiers reportedly admitted fault

They called for an independent investigation outside military control, the prosecution of those responsible, a retraction of the army's statement, and a public apology.

"The family does not seek vengeance. The family seeks justice," the statement read.

The Nigerian Army has yet to publicly respond to the family's rebuttal.