Family members of Ismail Ishaq Magaji, a final-year student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State, have alleged that individuals linked to the Nigerian Army are threatening them over their efforts to speak publicly about his death.
Magaji was reportedly shot dead during a protest over a disputed parcel of land in Wawa community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, following a confrontation between youths and security personnel deployed to the area.
The family alleged that they had received threatening telephone calls from hidden numbers, with the callers warning them to stop speaking to journalists about the circumstances surrounding Magaji’s death.
According to the relatives, the callers specifically warned them against telling journalists that military personnel were responsible for the shooting and urged them to “forgive and forget” the incident.
One of the family members told ChroniclesReporters that the alleged threats began after the family started speaking to journalists about what happened to the student.
“They have been threatening us because we have been telling journalists what happened to Ismail. They don’t want us to say that their personnel were responsible for his death,” the family member said.
The relative said the calls were made from hidden numbers, making it difficult for the family to establish the identities of those behind the alleged threats.
“They called us with hidden numbers and warned us to stop talking to journalists. They told us that we should forgive and forget what happened and move on,” the source said.
The family further alleged that the threats intensified after they began considering reporting the matter to higher authorities within the Nigerian Army.
“We are already planning to report the matter to the Defence Headquarters because we want to know who killed our son and why. Since they became aware that we want to take the matter further, the threats have increased,” the source said.
Another relative said the family would continue seeking answers despite the alleged intimidation.
“We are not looking for trouble. We only want justice for Ismail. He was a final-year student and he was killed. We cannot just forgive and forget without knowing what happened and without anybody being held accountable,” the relative said.
Magaji was reportedly shot during a confrontation involving youths and security personnel deployed to Wawa following the escalation of a longstanding land dispute.
Community sources who witnessed the incident said the shooting occurred last Thursday as youths were protesting over the disputed land.
According to the sources, the land dispute allegedly involved Magaji’s cousin, Hajia Zainab, popularly known as “Zee Baby,” a female politician from Borgu.
The sources alleged that Zainab invited soldiers to the community after the dispute escalated and youths began protesting.
One eyewitness alleged that a soldier chased Magaji before shooting him.
“It was not like an accidental discharge. He was running and the soldier went after him,” the eyewitness said.
Another community source said the shooting happened during a confrontation between youths and soldiers deployed to the area.
“There was a confrontation between the youths and the soldiers. Ismail was there when the shooting happened. He was hit by the bullet and people immediately rushed him to the hospital,” the source said.
A video obtained after the incident reportedly showed Magaji receiving medical attention at a hospital shortly after he was shot.
The footage showed medical personnel and other individuals around the student as efforts were made to save his life. He subsequently died from his injuries.
His death reportedly triggered anger among youths in the community, who allegedly attacked the residence of Zainab, popularly known as Zee Baby, and set it on fire. There were also reports of destruction at the disputed land.
“When the news got around that Ismail had died, the youths became very angry. They went to the house of Zee Baby and set it on fire. There was also destruction at the disputed land,” a community source said.
The incident reportedly heightened tension in Wawa and prompted the Chairman of Borgu Local Government Area, Hon. Muhammad Nasir Abdullahi, popularly known as Lambus, to reportedly declare a state of emergency in the town.
Security personnel were subsequently deployed to the area to prevent further violence and restore calm.
The allegations surrounding Magaji’s death, including the claim that a soldier shot him, have not been independently established.
ChroniclesReporters contacted the Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Onyinyechi Anele, for the Nigerian Army’s response to the allegations, including the alleged threats against the deceased’s family and the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
She had not responded to calls and text messages sent to her as of the time of filing this report.