Wayward gunfire from troops' victory salute claims life of teen in Maiduguri

A stray bullet, allegedly fired by military personnel during a wedding celebration in Maiduguri, Borno State, has claimed the life of a 14-year-old girl, sparking widespread concern over the reckless use of firearms in the region.

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In response to the tragic incident, Amnesty International has urged Nigerian authorities to launch a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the teenager's death, which the organisation has described as a preventable tragedy.

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According to a statement released by Amnesty International on Sunday, the secondary school student was struck by the stray bullet on Saturday, April 4, while she was inside her home, highlighting the dangers of celebratory gunfire in residential areas.

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Reports indicate that the shot was fired by soldiers who were celebrating at a nearby event centre, underscoring the need for greater accountability and restraint in the use of firearms in civilian areas.

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A family friend of the victim revealed that the girl had been preparing to attend the same wedding before the tragic incident occurred, and had been applying henna for her mother and herself in anticipation of the celebration.

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The family friend noted that the girl lived with her family in the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital quarters and was inside her home when the tragedy occurred, emphasizing the senseless nature of the killing.

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Amnesty International has described the killing as a preventable tragedy and has urged authorities to ensure that those responsible are held accountable, stressing the need for a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident.

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The organisation noted that the victim was buried on Sunday at the Maiduguri graveyard, leaving her family and friends to mourn a death that could have been avoided with greater caution and restraint.

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Amnesty International has called for a transparent, impartial, and effective investigation into the incident, emphasizing the need to safeguard lives and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

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The organisation has warned that the continued misuse of firearms in civilian areas poses serious risks to the safety and well-being of innocent civilians, and must be addressed through strict enforcement and accountability to prevent further loss of life.