NHRC faults alleged teenager’s murder by soldier, urges probe  

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned the alleged killing of a 16-year-old teenager, Isma’il Muhammad, by a soldier during the 24-hour curfew imposed to curtail the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Recall the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, had explained on Tuesday, August 6, that troops received a distress call that some hoodlums gathered in Samaru in large numbers, burning tyres on the road and pelting security personnel.

He said the soldiers immediately mobilised and arrived at the scene to disperse the mob and enforce the restriction 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,” he had narrated.

Reacting, NHRC’s Executive Secretary, Dr Tony Ojukwu (SAN), stated that the “commission is deeply disturbed, particularly, given its previous advisory on the excesses of law enforcement agencies during the protests.”

He reiterated that the right to life is inalienable and cannot be violated under any circumstances.

Ojukwu said: “The use of lethal force against unarmed civilians, especially minors, is unacceptable and a clear violation of international human rights standards.

“We demand a thorough and transparent investigation into this incident and call for the soldier involved to be held accountable.”