By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The military has said that it has arrested five suspects in connection with the killing of a 14-year-old girl in Maiduguri, Borno State, by a stray bullet.
The teenager was reportedly hit by a stray bullet allegedly fired during a social event in the Costain area of Maiduguri on Saturday, April 4.
Spokesperson for the Theatre Command, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, in a statement issued on Monday, April 6, said the military had begun an investigation into the incident.
The statement read, “The troops of Operation HADIN KAI, in conjunction with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have arrested five suspects linked to the unlawful use of firearms during a social event.”
Uba explained that the incident occurred at about 2:00 p.m. on April 4 when members of a vigilante group, who were later identified as an escort team attached to a local government chairman, allegedly engaged in sporadic gunfire during a wedding celebration at Umaru Yar’Adua Teachers’ Staff Quarters.
He said, “The reckless act led to the death of a young girl. Acting swiftly, troops traced and apprehended five suspects identified as Muhammad Husaini (28), Abba Jiddu (25), Abba Kolo Mohammed (20), Ali Adam (20), and Nura Mohammed (18).
“The suspects are currently in custody and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution in accordance with extant laws.”
The Theatre Command spokesman condemned the act, describing it as unprofessional, unauthorised, and a violation of regulations guiding the use of firearms.
According to the statement, the command reiterated that the Civilian Joint Task Force operates strictly as a support group and is not permitted to engage in indiscriminate use of firearms, particularly in civilian areas.
Uba said a comprehensive investigation had been initiated in collaboration with relevant state authorities, including the Office of the Senior Adviser on Security to the Borno State government, to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
