15-Year-Old Boy Reportedly Shot Dead at Maulid Gathering in Borno
A15-year-old boy has reportedly been shot dead during a Maulid gathering in Banki, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, following an alleged confrontation between police officers and attendees at the religious event.
Community sources cited in a report published on October 25 said the incident occurred on October 18 during a Maulid celebration held in front of the organiser’s residence.
According to the accounts, a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) had earlier visited the gathering to complain about the volume of the religious recitation, which he reportedly said could be heard from his office at the police station.
The gathering’s organiser and his brother, identified as Malam Idris, were said to have received the officer, who allegedly asked them to reduce the volume rather than stop the event.
The organiser reportedly switched off and lowered two high-frequency speakers, leaving the remaining sound equipment operating at a reduced volume.
The officer was said to have remained at the venue for between 40 and 50 minutes before leaving.
Community sources alleged that police officers subsequently returned in two vehicles and disrupted the gathering.
They claimed that the officers cut off the electricity supply to the sound system, switched off the generator and began beating attendees with batons. The officers were also accused of firing tear gas and live ammunition, causing panic among people attempting to escape.
One of the sources reportedly alleged that the teenager was shot in the neck and died at the scene.
Other attendees were said to have sustained injuries, including broken bones. Community sources also accused the officers of taking mobile phones, speakers and other belongings during the operation.
The allegations have not been independently verified, and the precise circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death remain unclear.
Calls for investigation
Community sources have called on the Borno State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, to investigate the incident and establish the circumstances surrounding the boy’s death.
They also demanded disciplinary action against any officers found responsible and compensation for the deceased’s family.
The report published on October 25 stated that attempts to obtain comments from the Borno State Police Command’s spokesperson, ASP Kenneth Daso, were unsuccessful.
No official police account of the incident was available in the material examined for this report.
The circumstances surrounding the reported shooting, the alleged use of force and the claims of property being taken therefore remain outstanding questions.
An official account and an independent investigation would be necessary to establish what happened at the gathering and determine whether any officers acted unlawfully.
