Army has allegedly killed three, injured one person in a face up between the army and civilians in Kaduna.
The killing of the first triggered a protest that resulted to the killing of two others, with one other sustaining injury around Command Secondary School Junction, Nnamdi Azikwe Way in Kaduna.
The first victim, identified by his relations as Solomon Andi, 35, was allegedly shot while packing sand from a gutter between a burial ground and the Command Secondary School building around 9am on Friday, June 9, 2017.
“Solomon was packing sand in a gutter in front of the military school when he was asked to stop by the soldier, but he pleaded with him to allow him pack the sand since the gutter is not anyone’s belonging,” John Simon, an eyewitness, told our reporter.
John Paul, another witness who spoke to journalists, alleged that two other people who were among irate youths who attempted to break through the Command main gate were also shot dead by soldiers, with one other person injured.
Samson Andi, the deceased’s younger brother who spoke to our reporter on phone, insisted that his brother “was killed by the soldier who was smoking weed.
“Solomon, my late brother, lives at Baka Street, Television, and has no specific job. He does 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,” Mr. Andi said.
“Our mother and I are at the Television Garage police post since around 11am to make report. Up till now the police we don’t know what they 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 another person was injured,” he added.
1 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, said the shooting of the man 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, Colonel Kingsley Umoh, said the matter is being investigated.
He said the General Officer Commanding the Division is appealing to law abiding citizens to remain calm and go about their lawful duties.
The army didn’t however confirm the death of two other youths allegedly killed during the protest of Mr. Solomon’s killing.
“The attention of Headquarters 1 Division Nigerian has been drawn to tension arising from an incident that occurred at about 10:00am today 9 June 2017,” the statement said.
“A soldier of the Division Internal Security Force deployed at Command Secondary School Kaduna opened fire on some youths suspected to have encroached into the school premises.
“One of the youths was hit and died at the spot. Officers have been deployed to the scene of the incident in response and the Police have also been invited to take control of the situation.
“The matter is being 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.”
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