Hajiya Zainab Abdulsamad has given a detailed account of the night soldiers shot dead her son, Abdulsamad Jamiu, a National Youth Service Corps member, contradicting the Nigerian Army's version of events.
The mother said the soldiers came to their home and killed Jamiu without provocation. She described the moment as traumatic and said her family has been left to grapple with the loss of a young man who had just begun his service year.
Jamiu was serving in the corps when he was shot. The circumstances surrounding his death have remained contested since it happened, with the army providing one narrative while the family insists on what they witnessed that night.
Hajiya Zainab said the soldiers gave no warning before opening fire. She recounted how her son fell and how the family rushed to help him, only to discover he was dead. The mother said the official story the army released does not match what happened in their home.
She called on the government and relevant authorities to investigate the matter properly and bring those responsible to justice. The family wants answers about why soldiers came to their home and why her son had to die.
The death of Jamiu has raised questions about the conduct of security forces and their interaction with young Nigerians serving the country through the NYSC scheme. Rights groups have called for transparency in how the case is handled.
The Nigerian Army has not responded to the fresh allegations from the mother. The family's lawyer is expected to file a formal complaint with relevant authorities this week.
