The Niger State Police Command has arrested a 16-year-old boy, Emmanuel Danladi, after he allegedly shot and killed his 15-year-old friend, Titus Joseph, while playing with a gun belonging to his father.
The tragic incident occurred on March 1 in Kwamba, located in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to reports, the two teenagers were playing at Emmanuel’s residence when he reportedly picked up a loaded dane gun owned by his father, Danladi Baba, who is a member of a local vigilante group. The gun accidentally discharged, hitting Titus in the stomach at close range and resulting in his death.
Police operatives attached to the Maje Division quickly responded to the scene and evacuated the victim’s body to the General Hospital in Suleja.
Following the incident, Emmanuel and his father were arrested by the police on allegations of negligence and culpable homicide. The dane gun used in the shooting was also recovered as evidence.
Confirming the development on Friday, the spokesman of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, said the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna for further investigation.
Abiodun explained that the police received the report of the incident at about 6 p.m. on March 1, adding that officers immediately moved to the scene.
He said both suspects, along with the recovered firearm, are currently in custody while investigations continue, after which they will face prosecution.
