Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has become widely discussed in America because of a statement he made during a press conference.
Journalist:
“Today, there were very strong winds in the state of New Jersey, and security officials advised members of the delegation not to go outside for your own safety. Why did you go out to perform the prayer?”
Pape Thiaw:
“Is there anything more important than prayer? I do not think that is your concern. You fear the wind, while we fear Allah, the One who created the wind. We came here for a game of entertainment, yet we have forgotten that we were created to worship Allah.
Even if the @FIFAWorldCup World Cup final were being played today and we were one of the finalist teams, we would still go out to perform the Jummah prayer, even if it meant losing the championship.
Do not lecture us about the rituals and obligations of our religion.”
FORMAL REBUTTAL STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE FAMILY OF ABDULSAMAD JAMIU (DECEASED)
In Response to the HQ Nigerian Army Official Account of Events of 25th April 2026
Incident Location: Dei-Dei Shagari Quarters, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory
Victim: Abdulsamad Jamiu, Male, 24 Years of Age
Date of Statement: 26th April 2026
PRELIMINARY NOTE
This statement is issued on behalf of the immediate family of the late Abdulsamad Jamiu, who was killed in the early hours of Saturday, 25th April 2026, at his residence in Dei-Dei Shagari Quarters, Abuja. It is issued in direct and formal response to the account of events published by the Nigerian Military, which the family, supported by physical evidence, witness testimony, and the military’s own partial admissions, categorically rejects as false, misleading, and an affront to the memory of an innocent young man.
The family is not issuing this statement in anger alone. They are issuing it in the interest of truth, accountability, and the rule of law — values which the Nigerian Military, as an institution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is constitutionally obligated to uphold.
SECTION I: ESTABLISHED FACTS
The following facts are not in dispute and form the foundation of this rebuttal:
1. At approximately 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, 25th April 2026, personnel of the Nigerian Military entered the residential premises of the Jamiu family at Dei-Dei Shagari Quarters, Abuja.
2. At the time of the incident, Abdulsamad Jamiu, aged 24 years, was present inside his room within the family residence. His sister was also present in the house. Their parents were absent, having travelled to Okene to attend a burial ceremony.
3. Nigerian Military personnel discharged a firearm at close range through the door of Abdulsamad’s room. The shot struck Abdulsamad Jamiu in the head, killing him instantly.
4. The trajectory of the bullet — confirmed by physical examination of the bullet hole, which runs from the room door to the wall of the room — conclusively establishes that the shot was fired from outside the room, through the closed door, into the room where Abdulsamad Jamiu was situated.
5. On hearing the gunshot, Abdulsamad’s sister rushed downstairs, whereupon she was instructed by the soldiers present to go outside and “calm down.”
6. Neighbours who heard the gunshot contacted the community vigilante group. Upon their arrival, vigilante members were instructed by the military personnel to mop up the blood and flush it — a directive which, in itself, raises grave questions about the military’s intent to preserve an evidence-intact crime scene.
7. The body of Abdulsamad Jamiu was subsequently conveyed to Kubwa General Hospital by the police, who had arrived at the scene. The family was compelled to endure hours of statements and administrative paperwork before being granted access to retrieve their son’s remains for burial.
8. The military personnel present at the scene, when confronted by the family regarding the killing of their son, acknowledged that the shooting of Abdulsamad Jamiu was a mistake and that they had killed an innocent person. This acknowledgement was made in the presence of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and was recorded in a written statement.
SECTION II: THE MILITARY’S ACCOUNT AND ITS SPECIFIC CONTRADICTIONS
The Nigerian Military has publicly claimed that its personnel were engaged in active pursuit of armed robbers and that the fatal shooting of Abdulsamad Jamiu occurred in the course of an exchange of gunfire. The family rejects this account in its entirety and presents the following point-by-point rebuttal, each supported by verifiable evidence or the absence of evidence where the military bears the burden of proof:
Ground 1: The Physical Evidence Disproves an “Exchange of Gunfire”
The military’s claim of an exchange of gunfire is irreconcilable with the physical evidence present at the scene.
Years back we were at Ikeja Cantonment for weapon handling training. The army instructor asked us a serious question, he said what do you guys call it when you mistakenly shoot someone. We all roared and said "Accidental discharge". You are all stupid. He roared like a wounded lion. You know Army trainers can be very terrifying. The height, the voice, the command will make you think you are looking at some special breed of creatures from another planet.
You load a magazine, step one, you mount it, step two, you cock it, step three, you pull the trigger, step four. How many steps altogether? He asked, four sir. You do this deliberately with your two eyes opened, what is accidental there? If you kill anyone here, we will bury the two of you, we will not accept that stupid accidental excuse. It was at that point we knew we were in serious tavern. 🙆
Dear HQ Nigerian Army , are you aware that some of your men blew off the brain of a Youth corps member at Dei-Dei Dakwa(Shagari Quaters, behind New Lagos Hotel) Abuja? They called it a mistake. Samad was in his room, he was not there by mistake. Find these men and get justice for him. You have a
reputation to protect.
By: Suleiman Ibn Yusuf
Justice Crack has just revealed right now that some alleged Nigerian soldiers shøt and k!ll£d a young man who was serving as an NYSC member in Abuja last night.
According to him, he reached out to the victim’s family and spoke with the sister, who narrated how the incident allegedly happened.
You can say you lived to see Erling Haaland carry Norway to their first World Cup since 1998 🇳🇴
He scored in 11 straight World Cup qualifiers dating back to 2021 😱