The tragic death of Mr. Abdulsamad Jamiu, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, during security incident in Dei-Dei, Abuja, on April 25, 2026, has sparked a contentious dispute between the Headquarters Guards Brigade and the deceased’s family.
While the military attributes Jamiu’s death to an armed robbery crossfire, his family vehemently refutes this account, presenting compelling evidence that suggests a direct killing by personnel and an attempted cover-up.
The Official Account: A Tragic Crossfire
According to a statement from the Headquarters Guards Brigade, Mr. Jamiu tragically lost his life in the early hours of April 25, 2026, at Shagari Estate, Dei-Dei, Abuja.
The Brigade reported that its Quick Response Group, on routine night patrol, responded to a distress call regarding an armed robbery attack.
While upon arrival, the troops allegedly came under gunfire from fleeing armed robbers, leading to a brief but intense exchange.
The official statement claims Jamiu was caught in this crossfire and succumbed to his injuries, describing the situation as
fluid and highly volatile.
The Brigade extended its condolences and stated that a thorough investigation has been initiated, with findings to be made available in due course.
The Family’s Counter-Narrative: A Direct Killing and Cover-Up Allegations
In stark contrast, Jamiu’s family has released a statement on Sunday, directly challenging the military’s narrative.
They assert that “physical evidence disproves an exchange of gunfire,” and that their son was killed around 2 AM on Saturday when military personnel entered the estate. 
Jamiu’s sister, present at the time, reported that military personnel discharged a firearm at close range through the door of Abdulsamad’s room, striking him in the head and killing him instantly.
The family highlights several critical points to support their claims:
Bullet Trajectory: Physical examination of the bullet hole confirms the shot was fired from outside the room, through a closed door.Absence of Adversary: The family argues that no armed adversary was identified,
produced, or accounted for, and no weapon was recovered from the scene other than those attributed to the military.
Military Entry Point: Military personnel reportedly scaled the fence to enter the
premises, with remnants of fallen barbed wire still visible. The main gate was intact and undamaged, and no robbery was reported in the community that night.
Suppression of Evidence: Jamiu’s sister was allegedly told by soldiers to “calm down” after the gunshot. Furthermore, community vigilance group members who arrived at the scene were instructed by soldiers to “mop up the blood and flush it,” raising serious concerns about evidence preservation.Admission of Guilt: The family claims that when confronted, the soldiers admitted the shooting was a mistake and that they had killed an innocent person.
Demands for Justice
The family is demanding the identification, suspension, and prosecution of the personnel
responsible for the shooting.
They also call for a retraction of the military’s initial statement and issuance of a corrected account consistent with the available evidence, prior admissions, along with a formal public apology from the army.
