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The Nigerian military has confirmed the death of a 14-year-old girl in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, and has launched an investigation into the incident.
Reports indicate that the teenager was struck by a stray bullet allegedly fired by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) on Saturday in the Costain area.
In a statement on Monday, the spokesperson for the Theatre Command, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, Sani Uba, said five suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident.
“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,” the statement said.
He explained that the incident occurred at about 2:00 p.m. on April 4, 2026, when vigilantes, later identified as members of an escort team attached to a local government chairman, engaged in sporadic gunfire during a wedding celebration at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Teachers’ Staff Quarters.
The suspects, Muhammad Husaini (28), Abba Jiddu (25), Abba Kolo Mohammed (20), Ali Adam (20), and Nura Mohammed (18), are currently in custody and will be handed over for further investigation and prosecution.
The command condemned the act as highly unprofessional and unauthorised, stressing that the CJTF operates strictly as a support group and is not permitted to use firearms indiscriminately, especially in civilian areas.
A comprehensive investigation is underway in collaboration with relevant state authorities to establish the full circumstances and ensure accountability.
While noting that the security situation in the area remains calm, the military assured residents of the need for continued vigilance and commitment to maintaining law and order. It also extended condolences to the victim’s family.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International has urged the government to conduct a thorough probe into the incident, calling for accountability over the reckless use of firearms that led to the girl’s death.
