At least five suspects have been arrested following a tragic incident involving the unauthorised discharge of firearms that led to the death of a young girl in Maiduguri.
The arrests were carried out by troops of Operation HADIN KAI in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
This was disclosed in a statement by the Media Information Officer HQs Joint Task Force, Col. Sani Uba, and shared on the Nigerian Army’s Facebook page on Monday.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on April 4, 2026, in the Ngomari area of Borno State, during a wedding celebration at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Teachers Staff Quarters.
Witnesses reported that individuals identified as vigilantes allegedly part of an escort team attached to a local government chairman began firing weapons sporadically into the air.
The gunfire reportedly resulted in a stray bullet striking and killing a young girl, sparking outrage and prompting swift intervention by security forces.
The military confirmed that five suspects—Muhammad Husaini 28, Abba Jiddu 25, Abba Kolo Mohammed 20, Ali Adam 20, and Nura Mohammed 18 were tracked down and arrested shortly after the incident.
They are currently in custody and are expected to be handed over to relevant authorities for prosecution.
The Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI strongly condemned the act, describing it as “highly unprofessional” and a clear violation of regulations governing firearm use.
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The command emphasized that CJTF members are strictly limited to support roles and are not authorised to use firearms indiscriminately, especially in civilian settings.
A joint investigation has been launched in partnership with the Borno State Government, including the Office of the Senior Adviser on Security, to determine the full circumstances surrounding the and ensure accountability.
Despite the incident, the military said the overall security situation in the area remains calm, with troops maintaining heightened vigilance to prevent further breaches.
The command also extended condolences to the victim’s family, reaffirming its commitment to protecting civilians and enforcing discipline among all security and auxiliary personnel.