16-Year-Old Fatally Shoots Friend with Father’s Gun in Niger, Sparking Child Safety Alarm
A tragic incident in Suleja, Niger State, has raised serious child protection concerns after a 15-year-old boy was fatally shot by his friend while they were playing with a firearm at home. The affected person, Titus Joseph, died after being shot in the stomach by Emmanuel Danladi, 16, who allegedly picked up a loaded dane gun belonging to his father during the incident. Authorities say the shooting occurred on March 1 in the Kwamba area of Suleja Local Government Area.
According to the Niger State Police Command, the firearm belonged to Emmanuel’s father, Danladi Baba, a member of a local vigilante group. Reports indicate that the gun had been left loaded and accessible inside the home, allowing the teenagers to handle it while unsupervised. The shot was fired at close range, and despite emergency response efforts, the affected person died from his injuries. Police later recovered the weapon and arrested both Emmanuel and his father on allegations of negligence and culpable homicide.
The case has drawn attention to the dangers of unsecured firearms in households, particularly where children and teenagers may gain access to them. Child protection advocates warn that the presence of loaded weapons in homes without strict storage and safety measures significantly increases the risk of accidental injury or death. Experts stress that firearms should always be stored unloaded, locked, and out of reach to prevent tragedies involving children.
The incident also highlights broader safeguarding concerns around supervision, responsible gun ownership, and the duty of adults to ensure that potentially dangerous items are secured from young people. Authorities have transferred the suspects and evidence to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna as investigations continue.
Advocates say the tragedy underscores the urgent need for stronger community awareness, firearm safety education, and accountability to prevent similar incidents that put children’s lives at risk.
