The Nigerian Army’s decision to compensate the family of 16-year-old Ismail Mohammed, who was shot dead during the #EndBadGovernance protests in Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria, with N300,000 has raised eyebrows.
While the admission of responsibility and offer of compensation are steps in the right direction, the amount itself seems woefully insulting.
300,000 Naira is a meager sum for the life of a young boy, brutally cut short by the very institution meant to protect him.
It is a paltry attempt to assuage the grief of a family that has lost a loved one, and a community that has been traumatized by the senseless killing.
The Nigerian Army’s actions, and the subsequent compensation, raise fundamental questions about the value placed on human life in Nigeria.
Is N300,000 truly the value of a life in Nigeria, or is it just a token gesture to appease the public?
Furthermore, the compensation does not address the systemic issues that led to Ismail’s death.
The culture of impunity, the disregard for human rights, and the excessive use of force by security personnel all remain unaddressed.
The Nigerian Army must do more than just offer compensation; it must take concrete steps to ensure accountability, transparency, and justice.
The family of Ismail Mohammed, and the Nigerian people, deserve nothing less.
