Soldier arrested after killing 16-year-old protester in Kaduna

The Nigerian Army says a soldier who killed a 16-year-old protester in Zaria has been arrested.

In a statement on Wednesday, Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesperson, said soldiers were enforcing the 24-hour curfew imposed on Kaduna and Zaria metropolis following reports of violence during the nationwide protest.

He said the soldiers were attacked by some hoodlums while enforcing the curfew in Samaru area of Zaria.

Nwachukwu added that hoodlums were throwing stones at security personnel and burning tyres despite the curfew.

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

“On 6 August 2024, troops of the Nigerian Army received a distress call that some hoodlums gathered in Samaru in large numbers, burning tires on the road and pelting stones on security personnel,” the statement reads.

“The troops immediately mobilised and arrived at the scene to disperse the mob and enforce the curfew imposed by the state government.

“On arrival at the scene, the hoodlums brazenly attempted attacking the troops, prompting a soldier to fire a warning shot to scare the hoodlums away, which unfortunately led to the death of a 16-year-old boy Ismail Mohammed.

“The soldier involved has since been arrested and undergoing interrogation as at the time of this report.”

The statement added that Toareed Lagbaja, chief of army staff, sent a high-powered delegation to visit and condole with the family of the deceased.

The delegation was led by Lander Saraso, general officer commanding 1 division.

The spokesperson said the deceased has been buried according to Islamic rites, adding that senior military officers attended the burial.