Family Fingers Army Over Killing Of Zamfara Teacher

The Nigerian Army in Zamfara State have been accused of killing a 28-year-old female teacher in the state, Zainab Abdullahi.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Aliyu Abdullahi told newsmen in Gusau that Zainab, a teacher at a girls’ school in the state capital, died after eyewitnesses said a military vehicle struck the motorcycle she was riding and sped off on Tuesday. She was buried the same day according to Islamic rites.

Abdullahi called on the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and legal groups to intervene the teacher was allegedly killed by soldiers on her way to work in Gusau.

Aliyu said the incident has left the family devastated, especially as Zainab’s wedding which was scheduled to hold in a month from now.

“We are devastated, she lost her life while going to fulfill her duty as a teacher. She had one month and a few days left until her wedding. This has thrown our family and friends into deep sorrow,”Aliyu lamented.

Aliyu pointed that an eyewitness said that soldiers in a vehicle opened the door, hit the motorcycle carrying Zainab and then fled the scene.

“What I was told by eyewitnesses is that the soldiers opened the door of their vehicle, hit the motorcycle that was carrying her, and then fled. The incident caused her to fall into a ditch and she died instantly,” he said.

Aliyu said the family lacks the financial resources to pursue the case in court and is therefore appealing for support.

He is calling on two institutions to step in, the National Human Rights Commission and The Muslim Lawyers Association, Zamfara State chapter.

“I am calling on the Army Command in Zamfara State and the state government to track down those who committed this killing so they can be punished,” Aliyu added.

When contacted, Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt Colonel Aliyu Danja said, “We have seen that report on the social media but none of our vehicles have issues of accidents.”

He said the complainant should approach the police with verifiable evidence.