Five Arrested In Maiduguri After Vigilante Celebration Gunfire Kills 14-Year-Old Girl

A 14-year-old girl was killed by a stray bullet in Maiduguri during a wedding celebration. The military has arrested five CJTF members and launched a probe.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 6, 2026, 10:08 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Politics Nigeria

Military Responds To Fatal Shooting In Borno State

The Theatre Command of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, has officially confirmed a tragic incident in Maiduguri involving the death of a teenage girl. According to military reports, the 14-year-old victim was killed by a stray bullet on Saturday in the Costain area of the city. The military's swift confirmation follows public outcry over the conduct of local security actors during a private social gathering within a residential zone.

Vigilante Escort Team Detained Following Wedding Gunfire

Lt. Col. Sani Uba, the spokesperson for the Theatre Command, announced on Monday that five suspects have been taken into custody in connection with the shooting. The suspects, ranging in age from 18 to 28, were identified as members of an escort team attached to a Local Government Area Chairman. The group allegedly engaged in sporadic firing into the air during a wedding celebration held at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Teachers Staff Quarters around 2:00 p.m. on the day of the incident.

Strict Condemnation Of Unauthorized Firearm Use

The military has characterized the actions of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members as highly unprofessional and a direct violation of established firearm regulations. Lt. Col. Uba emphasized that while the CJTF serves as a support group to the military, its members are strictly prohibited from the indiscriminate use of firearms, particularly in civilian environments. The identified suspects, including Muhammad Husaini and Abba Jiddu, remain in custody pending their handover to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.