The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, has arrested five suspects over the unauthorised discharge of firearms that led to the death of a young girl during a wedding celebration in Maiduguri.
The incident occurred around 2:00 p.m. on April 4, 2026, in the Ngomari area of the state capital at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Teachers’ Staff Quarters, where the suspects allegedly engaged in sporadic shooting during the social event.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Media Information Officer of the task force, Sani Uba, said the reckless discharge of firearms resulted in a stray bullet that struck and killed the victim, sparking outrage within the community.
He disclosed that troops, working with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), swiftly tracked and apprehended the suspects linked to the incident.
The suspects were identified as Muhammad Husaini (28), Abba Jiddu (25), Abba Kolo Mohammed (20), Ali Adam (20), and Nura Mohammed (18). According to the military, they were part of an escort team attached to a Local Government Area chairman and had no authorisation to discharge firearms at the event.
“The reckless act led to the death of a young girl. Acting swiftly, troops traced and apprehended five suspects who are currently in custody and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution,” Uba said.
The military authorities condemned the incident as unprofessional and a violation of established regulations governing the handling and use of firearms, stressing that the CJTF operates strictly as a support group and is not permitted to engage in indiscriminate shooting, especially in civilian environments.
The Theatre Command has launched a comprehensive investigation in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Adviser on Security to the Borno State Government to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
While noting that the security situation in the area remains calm, Operation Hadin Kai extended condolences to the bereaved family and assured residents of its commitment to ensuring justice, accountability, and the continued protection of civilians.