A member of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS), simply identified as James, has accidentally shot and killed 18-year-old Sodiq Akinbowale, with his double barrel shortgun in the Ifako Ijaiye area of Lagos State.

The victim was rushed to the Ikeja General Hospital, where he was later confirmed dead by the medical doctor on duty, while two others who sustained severe injuries are receiving treatment at the general hospital at Ikeja. The suspect was said to have mistakenly discharged his weapon when he was fixing it, fatally hitting Akinbowale and injuring two others at Number 6, Lucas Street, Obawole area of the state on September 8. It was learnt that James was handling his double barrel shortgun when the incident occurred and caused serious panic in the community.

Tragedy

When our correspondent visited the area, a resident who didn’t want his name in print said the day of the incident was an unfortunate day in the community, as three grown up men were shot mistakenly, one died and two others are battling to survive at the hospital where they were rushed to for medical attention.

“I was told the three of them were rushed to Ikeja General Hospital after the incident, where Akinbowale was confirmed dead and the two others names yet unknown, but from the community now battling for their lives. It took the intervention of the police to douse the tension, as residents initially thought it was a cult related issue.” He said but for the quick arrival of policemen at the scene, the man who pulled the trigger would have been killed by angry youths in the community, but police was able to rescue him and take him to their station.

The matter has been transferred to the homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, for further investigation on the matter. “I was told by some boys in the community that James was preparing to go to work, and was trying to fix his gun when the already corked trigger went off leading to the shooting of the victims.”

Another residents, who gave her name as Tayo said, “sincerely I don’t know how the boys were shot, what I heard was the shout of some women screaming that someone had been killed at Lucas Street, I had to rush out to the scene to know what happened. “It was when I got to the scene that I actually saw the blood stain of those that were shot on the ground, when they were being rushed to the hospital. It was a serious situation. Thank God the suspect was not lynched by the youths.

“How the three boys were hit by a single gunshot is a still mystery to me, I was told that there is a distance between them and the man fixing the gun, sincerely God knows best why it happened. “I want to urge government to regulate those who go about with guns, especially the hunters, vigilantes and other local securities, because they are not trained on how to handle guns, even with the local one.

Thank God the three of them didn’t die. I don’t know what the parents of the boy that died would be going through now. Because it’s not easy. “It was a serious situation in the community on the fateful day. I was coming from Ogba where I went to get somethings when I heard about the incident in the motor. I want to urge tbe police to investigate the matter very well and ask the hunter why he was going about with corked gun, because that was what caused the accidental discharge.

“I was also told that the gun was already corked, I believe that was what caused the gunshot that hit the three boys leading to the death of one of them. Presently, there is peace in the community. “Everyone at the scene wept on the fateful day, because it was an unfortunate incident and the victims were severely injured from the gunshot.”

Hunters

When our correspondent visited the office of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS), in the community to get their reactions about the incident, one of the members of the group who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the case was presently before the police and they whould want to allow police do their investigation properly.

He said what happened on the fateful day could happen to anyone, saying it was an unfortunate incident, which he cannot tell how it happened until after police investigation or except if a senior member of their group is around. “The incident occurred last month, but we are still on the matter till this moment. We are doing our own investigation to know how the gun hit the deceased and the two others presently at the hospital.I pray God give them quick recovery and forgive the one that died.”

Victim’s parents

Our correspondent also visited the home of one of the victims shot, I was told nobody was around, but asked to come another day. But a woman who runs a shop close to the house said since then the injured victim’s mother had not been stable at home, she shuttles between the hospital and home. I was told the only period I could find her is if I come very early in the morning before she leaves for the hospital.

Security expert

A security expert, Mr. Femi Adeniji, said government should regulate firearms through strict laws, as civilians generally cannot bear arms without a license. Adeniji said firearms act prohibits unauthorised possession and recent executive orders have revoked many firearm licenses. “Hunters can obtain licenses for specific weapons, but these must adhere to regulations set by authorities like the Nigerian Police.

Vigilantes and hunters are cautioned against using unlicensed firearms and excessive force, while ongoing police efforts aim to confiscate illegal arms, the challenge remains significant due to rampant illegal arms proliferation amid rising insecurity.” He, however, said if as vigilantes, hunters you are to bear arms, government can implement strategies such as developing a robust training that emphasises community engagement, problem- solving, and partnership building.

“This should include workshops on cultural awareness and conflict resolution and also establish ongoing training sessions to update skills and knowledge, ensuring officers adapt to community needs and policing challenges and foster collaboration between police and community members in training programs to build trust and mutual understanding.”

He added that leaders of the community policing such as vigilantes and hunters should regularly check the firearms of their men to avoid accidental discharge, because sometimes it’s always fatal when it happens and to avoid it, regular check of the firearms is the best way to avoid such calamities in the community.

Police

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said immediately the information was reported to the police a team of detectives was dispatched to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation, including photographing the area and recovering the weapon. James was however arrested and is now in police custody as investigation continues.

Hundeyin stated, “It is an unfortunate incident. Our team responded promptly, and we have already begun investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The suspect is cooperating, and we have recovered the weapon used. The body of the deceased has been deposited at the Ikeja Mortuary.

We would provide further updates as the investigation unfolds.” Meanwhile, the double-barrel shotgun involved in the fatal accident is now in police custody as evidence. The investigation into the cause of the mistaken discharge is ongoing, and authorities have assured the public that further developments would be communicated in due course.

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