The Nigerian Army says a soldier that shot dead a 16 year old protester Ismaila Mohammed in Zaria has been arrested.
In a statement on Wednesday, Army spokesman, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, said soldiers were enforcing the 24-hour curfew imposed on Kaduna and Zaria metropolis following reports of violence during the nationwide protest.
According to Nwachukwu, the Nigerian Army had received a distress call about a group of hoodlums burning tires and pelting stones at security personnel, prompting troops to disperse the crowd and enforce a curfew.
The hoodlums allegedly attacked the troops, leading a soldier to fire a warning shot, which unfortunately hit and killed Mohammed.
General Nwachukwu confirmed that the soldier involved has been arrested and is undergoing interrogation.
According to him, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, expressed sadness over the incident and sent a delegation led by Maj Gen Lander Saraso to condone the deceased’s family. The Nigerian Army attended the burial, which was held according to Islamic rites.
The Army spokesman said the incident highlights the ongoing tensions between security forces and protesters in Nigeria, and the need for restraint and dialogue to prevent such tragic losses of life.
