In what many are calling a heartbreaking case of military brutality, a young phone repairer in Adamawa State, Alkasum Ibrahim, has reportedly died after being brutally assaulted by a Nigerian soldier — simply because he delayed in fixing a mobile phone.
The incident, which happened on Wednesday in Mayo-Belwa, has sent shockwaves through the community and across social media, sparking a wave of public anger and urgent calls for justice.
Eyewitnesses say the tragedy began when a woman brought her phone to Alkasum’s shop for repairs. The young technician, like many trying to earn a living in a struggling economy, may have been overwhelmed with work or faced technical issues — whatever the case, the phone wasn’t ready on time.
Instead of returning with patience, the woman reportedly called her boyfriend — a soldier, later identified as Lance Corporal Ahmada A.
According to multiple witnesses, the soldier stormed into the shop in a rage. Without speaking a word, he began to beat Alkasum mercilessly in front of shocked customers and bystanders. The young man collapsed, and later died from the injuries he sustained.
“This is devastating,” said Nuruddeen Abubakar, an eyewitness. “Alkasum was just hustling like the rest of us. His only ‘offense’ was a phone delay. Now he’s gone — just like that.”
What makes the situation even worse is that the soldier allegedly fled the scene and has not been seen since. His disappearance has fueled suspicion and anger in the community, with many fearing a cover-up.
“How does a trained officer become a killer over a phone?” one community youth leader asked. “This is not discipline, this is madness. The military must not shield him.”
Local human rights groups have now stepped in, describing the incident as outright murder and demanding that the Nigerian military hand over the suspect to the police.
“This cannot be swept under the carpet,” one group said in a statement. “This was a public killing. The victim’s family deserves justice, and the Nigerian people deserve accountability.”
The Adamawa State Police Command confirmed the incident, with spokesperson SP Suleiman Nguroje stating that the matter is being investigated by military authorities. “We expect the soldier to be handed over to us once their internal process is complete,” he said.
Meanwhile, Alkasum’s family is grieving deeply. What was supposed to be an ordinary day in the life of a hardworking young man ended in irreversible tragedy.
“He was all we had,” a family member whispered through tears. “He didn’t deserve to die like this.”
