“Amnesty International Demands Investigation into Lethal Military Fire After Maiduguri Tragedy”

Amnesty International has urged Nigerian officials to promptly examine what it characterized as the careless utilization of firearms by military staff that resulted in the demise of a 14-year-old girl in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The occurrence took place on Saturday, April 4, when the high school student was hit by a stray bullet while within her residence.

Reports suggest that the projectile was discharged by military personnel who were reportedly firing into the air during a wedding celebration at a nearby event location.

In response through a statement on its official X account on Sunday, Amnesty International asserted that the death was preventable and must not go without responsibility.

“The Nigerian government must investigate the careless use of firearms by the military that claimed the life of a girl in Maiduguri, Borno State,” the organization stated.

A family acquaintance of the victim clarified that the teenager was nowhere near the festivity when the incident transpired.

“She resided in the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) quarters with her family and was inside her home when the tragedy unfolded,” the individual mentioned. “She had just completed applying henna for her mother and herself, joyfully preparing for a family wedding that was set for that very day.”

The girl was subsequently interred on Sunday morning at the Maiduguri cemetery, as family members and friends struggled to comprehend the unexpected loss.

Amnesty International emphasized that events like this highlight the perils of unlawful or negligent use of weapons, especially in civilian zones.

The organization demanded a transparent, fair, and effective inquiry into the shooting, asserting that those deemed responsible must be held accountable.