LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICEOFNAIJA) – Tragedy struck the family of Malam Muhammad Abdullahi Mammada whilst celebrating the union of their children and grandchild with their partners in Kaduna State.
The wedding ceremony had come to a close on the night of the incident, with family members rejoicing with friends.
At about 8pm, however, suspected soldiers in army camouflage stormed the family home located in Rafin Guza, Kaduna North Area, killing 24-year-old Ibrahim Muhammad, a member of the family.
Muhammad, a mechanic and Islamic aid volunteer, was shot while standing over his cousin, Fadila Ahmed, who had also been shot by the soldiers believed to have been from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).
Though Fadila, 18, is presently receiving treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, Ibrahim was pronounced dead on Sunday resulting from the gunshot wound to his mouth.
An undisclosed eyewitness, in his account of the ordeal to the press, revealed that two other family members, Ahmed Ibrahim and Khalid Muhammad were severely beaten and shot at by the soldiers.
He also stated that the soldiers arrived at the family home in an unmarked black Toyota Hilux vehicle.
It was alleged that a misunderstanding took place between tricycle and Hilux drivers, and the Hilux driver slapped the Keke man.
Some friends of the Keke man, obviously not happy with the treatment of their friend, also slapped the Hilux driver back. The driver of the Hilux with NDA boldly written on it, however, left the scene after threatening that the action will not go unpunished. Later that day, the family house of where the wedding took was attacked.
Rukayya Muhammad, late Ibrahim’s 65-year-old mother, said they were not aware of any altercation between the soldiers and a Keke rider.
Recalling the incident, she said she used her hijab to hold in the blood that was gushing out of her son’s mouth damaged by the trigger happy soldier’s bullet.
Rukayya, a mother of 13, said: “It was supposed to be a happy day because I was celebrating the wedding of my son, my grandson and my co-wife’s son, but it turned out to be a day of grief for me and my family.
“On that very day, all activities for the weddings had been concluded and the brides had been taken to their husbands’ houses.
“Some of the groom’s friends had organized a funfair in front of the family house and the merriment continued till around 8pm. We were about to say the last Muslim prayer for the day when we heard gunshots.”
On why they accused soldiers of the shooting, she said: “The man that came into our house chasing my son wore an army camouflage and eyewitnesses also said the others were wearing army camouflage. We have since reported the matter to the Rafin Guza Police Division.”
She expressed concern over the way security operatives, who are supposed to protect the common man, ended up killing her son without verifying their information.
“Ibrahim was a good boy and that is why when I was crying over his death, people consoled me that he was in a better place.”
Ibrahim’s 75-year-old father, Malam Muhammad, a farmer, called on the government to investigate the killing of his son and ensure the culprits pay for the killing.
Recalling his last moments with his son, he said: “My late son was about to go out to meet his friends, who came to rejoice with the family on that fateful day and he insisted that we take a photo before he went out. I obliged him and we took that photo, unknown to me that would be the last photo I will take with him in this world.
“We are not rich people and we have no connections to help us, but I want the government to investigate what led to the death of my son and the people that were killed so that justice can prevail.”
The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Division Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, in a private interview with the press said: “The soldier is not from 1 Division. We have no problem with the residents of Rafin Guza and we have a very cordial relationship with them.”
The Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Major Victor Olukoya, also denied knowledge of the incident and stated that there are no black vehicles of any sort used by the NDA.
“I am not sure why you think the soldiers are from NDA because the academy does not use black vehicles but if there is anything, I will let you know,” he said.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Muhammad Jalige, said the Commissioner of Police has ordered a full scale investigation with a view to arresting the suspects.
He said: “The police were informed about the incident. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Rafin Guza had swung into action on the directive of the CP. Though the identities of the suspects are not clear, efforts are being intensified, patrols are being carried out and our operatives in the intelligence department have commenced investigation.
“The CP charged the people of the community to be very vigilant and report any suspicious person to the nearest police station.”
