TRAGEDY struck in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, after a 14-year-old girl was killed by a stray bullet in what has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability.
News Point Nigeria reports that the incident occurred on Saturday, April 4, when the teenage secondary school student was reportedly hit by a bullet while inside her family home located within the quarters of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).
Initial reports by Amnesty International alleged that the fatal shot was fired by military personnel engaged in celebratory gunfire at a nearby wedding ceremony.
However, a conflicting account has since emerged. A social media post attributed to sources linked with Operation Hadin Kai claimed that members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), a local vigilante group, were responsible for the incident.
According to the post, preliminary findings indicated that some CJTF members were discharging firearms during a social event in a nearby compound when the stray bullet struck the victim.
The act was described as unauthorised and unprofessional, with authorities reportedly launching an investigation to identify those involved and prevent a recurrence. Operation Hadin Kai also expressed condolences to the bereaved family and cautioned against the spread of unverified information.
A family friend, who spoke on condition of anonymity, painted a heartbreaking picture of the victim’s final moments, describing her as joyful and full of anticipation before the tragedy.
“She lived in the UMTH quarters with her family and was inside her home when it happened. She had just finished applying henna for her mother and herself, happily preparing for a family wedding scheduled for that same day,” the source said.
The young girl was laid to rest on Sunday at a cemetery in Maiduguri, amid grief and growing calls from family members and sympathisers for justice over what many have described as a preventable death.
Amnesty International has strongly condemned the incident and called on Nigerian authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation.
In its statement, the organisation urged the government to ensure an impartial and effective probe into the circumstances surrounding the shooting, stressing the need to protect civilian lives and hold those responsible accountable.
The incident has reignited concerns over the dangers posed by celebratory gunfire and the conduct of armed actors in civilian areas, particularly in conflict-affected regions like Borno State, where security sensitivities remain high.
