In a chilling display of unchecked power, a Nigerian soldier identified as Lance Corporal Ahmada A. has allegedly beaten a young phone repair technician, Alkasum Ibrahim, to death in Mayo-Belwa, Adamawa State — all because of a delay in fixing his girlfriend’s mobile phone.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, has ignited nationwide outrage and sparked demands for accountability as citizens decry the apparent misuse of military privilege and the tragic loss of an innocent life.
According to eyewitness accounts, the soldier’s girlfriend had earlier taken her faulty device to Alkasum’s workshop. Due to what sources say may have been technical difficulties or workload delays, the repairs could not be completed on time. Instead of exercising patience, the woman reportedly contacted her military boyfriend to express her frustration.
Moments later, witnesses say Lance Corporal Ahmad stormed into the shop in a violent rage. Without any inquiry or warning, he allegedly launched a brutal physical assault on the young technician, pummeling him mercilessly in full view of shocked bystanders.
“He didn’t even give the boy a chance to explain,” recounted Nuruddeen Abubakar, one of the eyewitnesses. “He just kept hitting him. It was horrifying. The boy fell unconscious and never woke up again. He died right there in front of us.”
Alkasum, described by friends as a humble and hardworking young man striving to build a future for himself, met a cruel end over what many consider a completely avoidable misunderstanding.
To worsen the tragedy, the soldier reportedly fled the scene immediately after the assault and has not been seen since, prompting fears of a possible cover-up and further inflaming tensions in the already heartbroken community.
“How can someone entrusted with the duty to protect lives turn around and end one so callously — over a mere phone repair delay?” asked a local youth leader, expressing the widespread frustration gripping the town.
Human rights organisations have swiftly condemned the killing, describing it as a gross violation of human rights and calling on the Nigerian military to ensure the suspect faces justice.
“This is not just a case of military brutality. It’s outright murder,” said a spokesperson for a leading rights group. “We demand that Lance Corporal Ahmad be identified, apprehended, and handed over to the police for prosecution. Anything less would be an insult to justice and a green light for further abuses.”
The Adamawa State Police Command has acknowledged the incident. Police spokesperson SP Suleiman Nguroje confirmed that an investigation is ongoing, noting that the military is currently conducting an internal probe and is expected to transfer the suspect to civilian authorities for appropriate legal action.
Meanwhile, Alkasum’s grieving family — backed by legal advocates and civil society groups — is demanding justice, vowing not to rest until the killer is brought to book.
“This was someone’s son, someone’s brother, someone’s future,” said a tearful cousin of the deceased. “He deserved protection — not a death sentence.”
As the nation reels from yet another disturbing case of extrajudicial violence, the call is loud and clear: Justice for Alkasum must not be delayed, denied, or derailed.
PIONEER NEWS 