A tragic incident occurred on Saturday in Abuja when a stray bullet, allegedly fired by security personnel escorting a Very Important Personality (VIP), struck and killed a pedestrian.
The deceased, identified as Timothy John, lived in the Dutse Baupma area and was reportedly walking by the roadside when the VIP convoy moved through the area, discharging gunshots into the air.
The shooting happened shortly after a traffic accident involving a DAF trailer, which reportedly lost its brakes and crashed into five tricycles.
The accident caused a major traffic jam in the area.
Amid the ensuing congestion, security officers in the VIP convoy allegedly opened fire in an attempt to force a passage through the gridlock.
The gunfire caused panic among motorists and pedestrians, resulting in several injuries and the confirmed death of one individual.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama shared details of the incident on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday.
He explained that during the exchange of gunfire, a bullet hit Timothy John in the chest.
Though he was rushed to the Kubwa General Hospital, doctors later confirmed his death.
Makama added that the actions of the convoy’s security personnel have raised serious concerns, especially since their identities remain unknown.
It’s still unclear whether the gunshots were fired recklessly or intentionally as a crowd control measure.
The initial accident reportedly occurred around 6:50 p.m. and left eight people injured.
Two of those victims later died at the hospital. However, attention has since shifted to the shooting incident involving the convoy.
John’s body has been deposited at the Kubwa General Hospital morgue, where an autopsy is expected.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, stated that the individuals responsible for the shooting have not yet been identified and investigations are ongoing.