The family of Abubakar Adam Abdullahi, a 24-year-old tailor from Kaduna, Nigeria, is demanding justice following his death during nationwide protests against the rising cost of living. Abdullahi’s family accuses the police of fatally shooting him in the chest on Thursday, a claim local authorities deny.
Ismail, speaking on behalf of the family, told the BBC that his brother died in Yusuf Dantsoho hospital after being shot near the office of Kaduna state governor Uba Sani. “All we want is justice for our brother,” Ismail stated.
The incident occurred amid widespread demonstrations across Nigeria, which have seen thousands take to the streets despite warnings from President Bola Tinubu. Police report at least seven deaths and 700 arrests nationwide since the protests began five days ago.
Conflicting accounts surround Abdullahi’s death. While his family and witnesses claim police opened fire on protesters, local authorities deny any involvement. Mohammed Lawal Shehu, spokesman for the Kaduna state governor, says they are unaware of any protest-related deaths, citing reliance on police information.
However, Amnesty International contests this, reporting three deaths in Kaduna alone and calling for an investigation into 23 protest-related deaths across the country.
Video footage allegedly shows Abdullahi among a group of young men confronting police before attempting to flee. His friends can be heard shouting “officer stop” and “they shot him” in Hausa as he falls to the ground.
Ismail describes his brother as kind, caring, and hardworking, emphasizing that Abdullahi joined the protests due to economic pressures affecting his tailoring business. “As a tailor, money for the materials he was using had all gone up – food too – and he also has to pay increased rent. Everyone is affected by this economic crisis,” Ismail explained.
The protests in Nigeria, inspired by recent successful demonstrations in Kenya, reflect growing concerns over the escalating cost of living. As the youngest of 14 children, Abdullahi had aspirations for his career and hoped to start a family, dreams his brother says were increasingly challenged by rising costs.
bbc.com
