By Aniefiok Christopher
The Nigerian Army has begun an investigation into the death of a 13-year-old boy allegedly shot by a soldier in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of January 1, 2026, along Akongntekong Road, Ete, sparked outrage and tension within the community.
The Army Public Relations Officer, 2 Brigade, Mbiokporo, Captain Lawal Mohamed, said the matter had been taken over by the Military Police.
“The incident has been handled by the Military Police and is already under investigation. Due process would be followed,” he assured.
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Eyewitness accounts indicate that the victim, Timothy Daniel, was returning from a crossover service at Mount Zion Full Gospel Church with his 15-year-old sister, Miracle Daniel, when the incident occurred at about 12:05 a.m.
An eyewitness, Anthony Akpan, said that Miracle had briefly crossed the road when the soldier who was on guard duty at the residence of the late former clan head, Clement Idemudo, where expatriates reportedly reside, allegedly followed her and made inappropriate advances.
According to Akpan, ”when the girl resisted and protested, the soldier allegedly became aggressive and threatened her. Timothy, who was waiting nearby, reportedly confronted the soldier over the alleged harassment of his sister, leading to a heated exchange.
”The confrontation allegedly escalated, culminating in the soldier firing his rifle and hitting the teenager.”
Timothy was said to have died on the spot, after which the soldier reportedly retreated into the compound while other security personnel later removed the body.
“The shooting triggered panic and unrest in the area, disrupting New Year celebrations. Even a vehicle belonging to a former political adviser to the Ikot Abasi Local Government Chairman, Obong Uyai Udoiwod, was damaged during the ensuing commotion,” he said.
Lawyer seeks Justice for the deceased
A Lagos-based lawyer, Inibehe Effiong has called on appropriate authorities in the country to arrest and court-martial the culprit to ensuring justice is given to the 13-year-old boy.
In his social media handle, Effiong wrote ‘‘My heart has been heavy since last Friday when the sister of this young boy reached out to me to inform me about the gruesome murder or his brother.’’
Writing under the title: Justice for 13-year old master Timothy Daniel Monday murdered on New Year’s day by a soldier attached to Sterling Global, he said ‘‘Master Timothy Daniel Monday, a 13-year old JSS 2 student of Bensona International School, King Jaja Street, Borokiri, Port Harcourt, was murdered by a trigger-happy Army personnel on Thursday, 1st January, 2026.
‘‘The sister, Miss Miracle Daniel Monday, who is an eye witness to the tragedy, informed me that she and her family members attended a Crossover Service at Mount Zion Church, Ette, in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.’’
According to him, ‘‘During the course of the service, Miracle stepped out with her siblings to urinate and were accosted by soldiers deployed to protect Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company Ltd. (popularly known as Sterling Global), a major Nigerian indigenous oil & gas firm involved in exploration and production (E&P).
‘‘She told the soldiers to hold on for her to finish urinating, but her innocuous comment infuriated one of the soldiers who felt challenged.
‘‘The soldier then pushed her to the ground.
‘‘When she asked him why he pushed her, the soldier became more infuriated and then slapped her, and also assaulted her sister.
‘‘Another soldier later intervened, apologized to the two sisters and asked them to leave.
‘‘As they were leaving, they heard gunshots.’’
Effiong further stated that ‘‘It turn out that the same soldier who had assaulted them had opened fire and killed Master Timothy instantly. The photos shared with me are too graphic for me to share. His brain was completely shattered.
‘‘The family reported the case to the Nigerian Army Cantonment 6 Battalion Wellington Basi Barracks, Ibagwa, Abak Local Government Area.
‘‘The case was also reported to the police.
‘‘I called Miracle this morning, she confirmed to me that till this moment, Sterling Global has not deemed it fit to contact or visit the grieving family.’’
He, therefore, called on appropriate authorities to bring the culprit to book, noting ‘‘I am calling on the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Army Staff, the General Officer Commanding (G.O.C.) of the 6 Battalion, Ibagwa, and the Akwa Ibom State Government to swiftly intervene in this case, ensure that the culprit is court-martialed for murder, and the family adequately compensated.
‘‘The nonchalant attitude of Sterling Global to this case, like in many other cases, is despicable and unacceptable.
‘‘No Nigerian should be killed in this manner by those who are supposed to protect them. The pain that this family has been subjected to is unimaginable. They live in Port Harcourt, and only went home for the holidays.
‘‘Section 33 of the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right to life. No one should be deprived of this scared right, except in strict compliance with the manner set by the Constitution,’’ he added.
