By By Elizabeth Ugbo
A 14-year-old secondary school student was killed on April 4 inside her home in Maiduguri, after a stray bullet struck her during a nearby celebration. The incident occurred within the quarters of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital in Borno State. Reports indicate that gunfire from a social event caused the tragedy. Authorities have launched an investigation, while rights groups demand accountability.
Amnesty International Demands Probe
Amnesty International condemned the incident and urged Nigerian authorities to act quickly.
The organisation called for a transparent and impartial investigation. It stressed the need to protect civilians and hold those responsible accountable.
Furthermore, it warned about the dangers of celebratory gunfire, especially in conflict-prone areas like Borno State.
Conflicting Reports Emerge
However, new details have raised questions about the source of the gunfire.
A social media post linked to Operation Hadin Kai blamed members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). According to the post, some CJTF members fired weapons during a nearby social gathering.
Preliminary findings suggest that the act was unauthorised and unprofessional. Authorities have now begun efforts to identify those involved.
Meanwhile, Operation Hadin Kai advised the public to avoid spreading unverified information.
Family Describes Final Moments
A family friend shared emotional details about the girl’s last moments.
“She lived in the UMTH quarters and stayed indoors when it happened,” the source said.
The friend added that the teenager had just finished applying henna with her mother. She was preparing for a family wedding scheduled for that day.
Sadly, the joyful moment turned into tragedy within minutes.
Burial and Calls for Justice
The family buried the young girl on Sunday in Maiduguri.
Relatives and sympathisers have continued to demand justice. Many described the death as preventable.
As a result, the incident has reignited public concern over reckless gun use in civilian areas.
Rising Concerns Over Celebratory Gunfire
This tragedy highlights ongoing risks linked to celebratory gunfire in Nigeria.
Experts warn that such practices endanger innocent lives. They also call for stricter enforcement of firearm regulations.
Therefore, many Nigerians now expect swift action to prevent future occurrences.
