Borno: CJTF, not military, linked to stray bullet that killed 14-year-old girl in Maiduguri — OPHK clarifies

By Zagazola Makama

The Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has clarified that the stray bullet that killed a 14-year-old girl in the Costain area of Maiduguri was allegedly fired by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), not military personnel.

In a statement, the Theatre Command said preliminary findings indicated that some CJTF members were discharging firearms during a social event within a neighbouring compound when the incident occurred.

It described the act as “unprofessional and unauthorised,” stressing that the CJTF is a support group and is not permitted to handle or discharge firearms in civilian settings.

The Command said the incident, which led to the death of the teenager, was deeply regrettable and under active investigation in collaboration with relevant state authorities, including the Office of the Senior Adviser on Security to the Borno State Government.

It assured that a thorough inquiry had been initiated to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that those found culpable are held accountable.

“The general public is urged to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information while investigations continue,” the statement added.

The Command reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of lives and property across the North East theatre, noting that measures would be strengthened to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.

It also extended condolences to the family of the deceased girl and assured that further updates would be communicated as investigations progress.