A 16-year-old boy, Isma’il Muhammad, was shot and killed by a soldier in Zaria, Kaduna State, on Tuesday, while security operatives were enforcing a 24-hour curfew imposed by the state government.
The incident occurred when hoodlums blocked the road, set fires, and attempted to attack the troops, prompting a soldier to fire a warning shot, which unfortunately led to the teenager’s death.
The soldier involved in the killing has been arrested and is undergoing interrogation, according to the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu.
Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, has sent a delegation to visit and commiserate with the deceased’s family.
The curfew was imposed following a violent protest that broke out in Zaria and Kaduna on Monday, with hoodlums looting properties and causing destruction. The state government declared the curfew to maintain peace and security.
The incident has sparked concerns about the use of force by security operatives during the enforcement of the curfew.