An officer of the Nigerian Army has reportedly shot and killed a resident of Kaduna on Friday, which started a deadly protest that resulted in the killing of two demonstrators.
One person was injured in the shooting, resulting in a clash between soldiers and civilians.
The first shooting triggered a protest that resulted in the killing of two other residents around the Command Secondary School Junction, Nnamdi Azikiwe Way, in Kaduna.
The victim, identified by his relations as Solomon Andi, 35, was allegedly shot while packing sand from a gutter between a cemetery and the school building around 9 am on Friday.
Samson Andi, the younger brother of the deceased told Premium Times, that, “Solomon, my late brother lived at Baka Street, and had no specific job. He did every menial job ranging from brick layer, carpentry, packing sand and so on to feed his family.
“Solomon was at that area to pack sand inside gutter in between burial ground and command when this soldier who was smoking weed, started harassing him (Solomon) and punishing him with frog jump and then shot him. He died on the way to Saint Gerald Hospital and the body is deposited there.
“Our mother and I have been at the Television Garage police post since around 11 am to make report. Up till now we don’t know what they (police) are doing.
“My sister also told me that two other people who are among some people who tried to protest my brother’s death were also shot dead and other person was injured.
“We are really in a state of confusion. We appeal to government to take responsibility, arrest those soldiers and bring them to justice,” he added.
The area has since been calm as soldiers and policemen were seen patrolling the area.
The Army’s 1 Division Headquarters, Kaduna, said the shooting was by a soldier of the Division Internal Security Force deployed at Command Secondary School Kaduna.
The army, in a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Division Nigerian Army, Kingsley Umoh, said the matter was being investigated.
He said the General Officer Commanding of the division was appealing to law-abiding citizens to remain calm and go about their lawful duties.
The army did not however, confirm the death of two other youth alleged to have been killed during the protest.
The army statement reads, “The attention of Headquarters 1 Division Nigerian has been drawn to tension arising from an incidence that occurred at about 10:00 am today 9 June 2017. A soldier of the Division Internal Security Force deployed at Command Secondary School Kaduna opened fire on some youth suspected to have encroached into the school premises.
“One of the youth was hit and died at the spot. Officers have been deployed to the scene of the incidence in response and the Police have also been invited to take control of the situation. The matter is been investigated and details will be made available as they become available.
“The General Officer Commanding, appeals to law abiding citizens to remain calm and go about their daily lawful activities, while assuring that 1 Division remains committed to security in its Area of Responsibility in conjunction with other security agencies.”
