📍Awka, Anambra State | June 16, 2025 – A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded yesterday in Awka, the capital of Anambra State, as a 10-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his father, a serving police inspector, at a commercial bank where the officer was assigned for security duties.
According to reports from Sahara Reporters, the inspector had taken his son along to his duty post—a common but unofficial practice among some officers. The fatal incident occurred when the child reportedly gained access to his father’s service rifle inside the banking hall. Unaware of the weapon’s danger, the boy inadvertently discharged it, fatally striking his father at close range.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as “deeply shocking and traumatizing,” with staff and customers fleeing the premises in panic before realizing what had happened. The inspector died on the spot from gunshot wounds, while the child, visibly distressed, was immediately taken into custody for safety and protection.
Police Reaction:
The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the incident and has launched a full investigation. A spokesperson for the Command described the death as “a sad reminder of the importance of firearm safety and the risks involved in exposing children to such environments.”
Public Outcry and Safety Concerns:
The event has sparked public criticism of the Nigerian Police Force’s operational practices, with many questioning why an officer would bring a minor to an armed duty post. Civil society organizations have also renewed calls for stricter protocols on firearm management and child safety around law enforcement officers.
Source:
Sahara Reporters – June 16, 2025
