Troops of ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force have arrested five vigilantes following the fatal shooting of a teenage girl in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The suspects Muhammad Husaini (28), Abba Jiddu (25), Abba Kolo Mohammed (20), Ali Adam (20), and Nura Mohammed (18) were apprehended after an incident linked to the accidental discharge of a firearm during a wedding celebration.
According to a statement by Sani Uba, spokesperson for ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ on Monday, the incident occurred around 2:00 p.m. on April 4 in the Ngomari area.
Vigilante members reportedly opened sporadic gunfire into the air at a wedding held at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Teachers’ Staff Quarters.
The stray gunfire tragically resulted in the death of a young girl.
Military authorities said troops responded swiftly, tracking down and arresting the suspects, who are currently in custody and will be handed over for further investigation and prosecution.
The military high command condemned the act, describing it as “unprofessional, unauthorised, and a clear violation” of firearm regulations.
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It reiterated that the Civilian Joint Task Force is strictly a support outfit and not permitted to engage in indiscriminate use of weapons, particularly in civilian areas.
A joint investigation involving state authorities, including the office of the senior adviser on security to the Borno State government, has been launched to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure accountability.
