Kaduna to probe killing of 16-year-old boy by soldier

Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, says he would conduct a thorough investigation into the killing of a 16-year-old protester by a soldier in Zaria. 

On August 6, soldiers enforcing a curfew in Samaru area of Zaria, killed a boy identified as Ismail Mohammed after firing a warning shot to disperse the protesters.

The protesters took to the streets to continue the 10-day nationwide protest against economic hardship.

In a statement on Friday, Sani described the killing as an “unfortunate incident”, adding that he would ensure justice.

He said a delegation comprising government officials and security heads has been dispatched to condole with the family of the deceased.

“Today, I dispatched a high-powered delegation made up of top government officials and heads of security agencies to condole with the family of the teenager, Ismail Muhammad who was killed when troops of the Nigerian Army mobilised to disperse a mob in Samaru area of Sabon Gari LG during the last protest,” the governor said.

“The team was led by the overseeing commissioner for Internal Security, Samuel Aruwan.

“While the team was with the family, I spoke on the phone with the father of the deceased, Muhammad Hussaini and expressed our deepest condolences.

“I told him that we are deeply pained by the unfortunate incident and will leave no stone unturned to ensure that justice is served.

“A full and thorough investigation will be conducted and the culprit will be brought to book.

“I will stay in close contact with the family of the deceased in these trying times. I pray to Almighty Allah to comfort them.

“May Almighty Allah forgive Ismail’s shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdausi.”

Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesperson, said the soldier responsible for the killing has been arrested.

Nwachukwu said the soldier fired a warning shot in a bid to disperse the protesters but accidentally killed the boy.

“The soldier involved has since been arrested and undergoing interrogation,” he said.