Bereaved Father Discloses Military Admitted Fatal Shooting of NYSC Member Was a "Mistake" During Visit to Abuja Residence

Sani Jimoh, father of late Abdulsamad Jamiu, reveals that military operatives admitted his son's death was a mistake, rejecting the Army's "crossfire" claim.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 3:46 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Naija News

Admission of Error Amidst Official Denials

New details have emerged in the tragic killing of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member Abdulsamad Jamiu, as his father, Sani Jimoh, publicly challenged the official military account of the incident. Speaking on Monday, Jimoh stated that military operatives who visited the family residence in Dei-Dei, Abuja, to inspect the scene admitted that the fatal shooting was a mistake. This private concession directly conflicts with the public statement issued by the Guards Brigade, which characterized the death as the result of a "brief but intense exchange" with armed robbers.

The Military’s Internal Version of Events

According to Jimoh, the soldiers explained that they were in pursuit of a suspect and believed the individual had jumped into the family compound. Upon entering the premises, they reportedly attempted to force open a bedroom door. The operatives alleged that someone inside appeared to be blocking the entrance, leading to the discharge of a weapon. Jimoh noted that during this interaction, high-ranking officers urged him to remain calm, explicitly using the word "mistake" to describe the escalation that led to his son's death.

Contradictions in the "Crossfire" Narrative

The Jamiu family has formally rejected the military's initial claim that Abdulsamad was caught in an external gun battle. Sani Jimoh emphasized that the physical evidence at the scene—specifically the bullet holes in the bedroom door—points to a targeted shot into a private room rather than a chaotic exchange of fire on the street. The family’s insistence on this point is supported by local police authorities; Jimoh mentioned that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Dei-Dei also described the event as an "unfortunate mistake" rather than a successful tactical operation against criminals.