The family of a young Nigerian graduate killed in the capital, Abuja, has accused the military of “covert and unlawful” entry into their home, dismissing official claims that he died during a gun battle with robbers.

Abdulsamad Jamiu, 24, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was fatally shot in the early hours of Saturday at his residence in the Dei-Dei district. While the Nigerian Army’s Guards Brigade maintains he was caught in “crossfire” during a pursuit of fleeing suspects, his family has issued a chilling rebuttal, alleging he was shot through his bedroom door by soldiers.

The case has sparked national outrage, highlighting the recurring tensions between Nigeria’s security forces and the civilians they are mandated to protect.

‘Through the Door’: A Family’s Rebuttal

In a detailed statement released on Monday, the Jamiu family described the military’s version of events as an “affront to the memory of an innocent man.” They claim the evidence at the scene points not to a shootout, but to a fatal error.

Key Allegations from the Family:

• Unlawful Entry: The family alleges that soldiers scaled the perimeter fence at 2:00 am rather than entering through the gate—a pattern they say is inconsistent with an active pursuit of robbers.
• The Single Shot: Witnesses and local vigilantes reported hearing only a single gunshot that night—the one that killed Jamiu.
• Ballistic Evidence: The family claims the bullet trajectory shows the shot was fired from a hallway, through a closed bedroom door, at a person the soldiers “could not see.”
• Evidence Tampering: There are further allegations that vigilantes were instructed by personnel to “flush away” blood at the scene before an investigation could begin.

Analysis: A Crisis of Credibility

For the Nigerian military, this is a crisis of credibility. The Guards Brigade is an elite unit, and their presence in a residential suburb like Dei-Dei is intended to project safety. However, the family’s claim—that the Army admitted the killing was a “mistake” in the presence of a police officer—directly contradicts the Brigade’s official press release.

In Nigeria, the death of a “Corper” (a youth service member) is a flashpoint for public anger. These graduates are regarded as guests of the state, and their safety is a matter of national honour. If the family’s account of a “covert entry” and a single shot is proven true, it transforms the incident from a tragic accident of war into a potential extrajudicial killing. The demand for an “independent investigation” reflects a deep-seated lack of trust in the military’s ability to police itself.

The Demand for Justice

The family is calling for the immediate suspension and prosecution of the officers involved, alongside a public apology from the military high command.

“The family does not seek vengeance. The family seeks justice,” the statement read. “Justice requires truth. Justice requires accountability.”

The Army has previously stated that an internal investigation is underway. However, with the remains of the victim currently at the Kubwa General Hospital, the pressure is mounting for a transparent, third-party inquiry into why a routine security patrol ended in the death of a young man inside his own bedroom.