The Army headquarters on Wednesday said a soldier who fired a warning shot to disperse rioters in Zaria during the protest against bad governance, resulting in the death of a protester has been arrested.

The Army said the soldier is currently undergoing interrogation while the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Taoreed Lagbaja has sent a delegation led by the General Officer Commanding 1 division to condole with the deceased’s family.

In a statement signed by Major Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, Director if Army Public Relations titled, ‘Unfortunate Death of a Protester by a Soldier in Zaria’, it said:” “On 6 August 2024, troops of the Nigerian Army received a distress call that some hoodlums gathered in Samaru in large numbers, burning tires on the road and pelting stones on security personnel.

“The troops immediately mobilised and arrived at the scene to disperse the mob and enforce the curfew 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.

“The soldier involved has since been arrested and undergoing interrogation as at the time of this report.

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“Saddened by the unfortunate incident, the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja has sent a high-powered delegation led by the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Maj Gen Lander Saraso to visit and condole with the family of the deceased.

“The deceased was buried according to islamic rites with senior military officers of the Nigerian Army in attendance.”