A 13-year-old student, Master Timothy Daniel Monday, has been allegedly shot dead by a soldier in Akwa Ibom State, sparking calls for a full military and civil investigation into the incident.
Timothy, a Junior Secondary School 2 (JSS 2) student of Bensona International School, Borokiri, Port Harcourt, was reportedly killed on Thursday, January 1, 2026, in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
According to a statement by human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, the incident occurred while the victim’s family was attending a crossover service at Mount Zion Church, Ette. Timothy’s sister, Miss Miracle Daniel Monday, who witnessed the incident, said she stepped out of the service with her siblings when they were confronted by soldiers deployed to protect facilities belonging to Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company Ltd., also known as Sterling Global.
Miracle alleged that an exchange ensued between her and one of the soldiers, during which she was pushed to the ground and assaulted alongside her sister. She said another soldier later intervened, apologized, and asked them to leave the area.
However, shortly after they departed, gunshots were heard.
It was later discovered that Timothy had been shot and died at the scene.
The family subsequently reported the incident to the Nigerian Army’s 6 Battalion at Wellington Basi Barracks, Ibagwa, in Abak Local Government Area, as well as to the police.
Effiong stated that as of the time of reporting, Sterling Global had not contacted or visited the bereaved family. He described the company’s alleged silence as unacceptable and called for accountability.
The lawyer urged the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Army Staff, the General Officer Commanding of the 6 Battalion, and the Akwa Ibom State Government to intervene urgently.
He called for the soldier involved to be court-martialed and for adequate compensation to be paid to the family.
Effiong emphasized that the killing violates Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees every Nigerian the right to life, stressing that no citizen should be deprived of this right by those entrusted with public safety.
The family, residents of Port Harcourt, were said to have been in Akwa Ibom State only for the holiday period.
