Five arrested after stray bullet kills girl at wedding in Maiduguri

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

Five people have been arrested in north-east Nigeria after a young girl was killed by a stray bullet during a wedding celebration in Maiduguri, the military says.

In a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, media information officer for Operation Hadin Kai, troops said the suspects were detained following an unauthorised discharge of firearms in the Ngomari area on 4 April.

The military said the incident happened at about 14:00 local time when vigilantes, identified as members of an escort team attached to a local government chairman, fired shots into the air during the event at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Teachers Staff Quarters.

It said the gunfire led to the death of the girl,prompting a swift response by troops working with the Civilian Joint Task Force, who tracked down and arrested five suspects.

The suspects were named as Muhammad Husaini, 28, Abba Jiddu, 25, Abba Kolo Mohammed, 20, Ali Adam, 20, and Nura Mohammed, 18. They are currently in custody and are expected to be handed over for further investigation and prosecution.

The military condemned the shooting, describing it as “highly unprofessional” and a violation of regulations governing the use of firearms, adding that members of the Civilian Joint Task Force are not permitted to use weapons indiscriminately.

It also said a broader investigation was under way in collaboration with Borno State authorities to establish the full circumstances of the incident and ensure accountability.

The army said security in the area remains calmbut that troops have increased surveillance, while offering condolences to the victim’s family and pledging to protect civilians.