Tragedy struck during a wedding celebration in Gombe State on Boxing Day as a 19-year-old hunter, identified as Tanko Abubakar, lost his life following an accidental discharge from his locally made firearm.
The incident occurred around 5pm at a wedding venue in the Alkahira Quarters area of Gombe metropolis, where Abubakar had joined friends and relatives to celebrate.
Witnesses said the teenager attempted to fire a celebratory shot into the air with a loaded Dane gun when the weapon suddenly malfunctioned.
A counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, who first shared details of the incident on social media, disclosed that the gun reportedly got stuck after Abubakar pulled the trigger. While trying to inspect the firearm, he negligently looked through the muzzle, at which point it accidentally discharged.
“The weapon got stuck, and when he looked through the muzzle, it fired, with pellets striking him on the head,” Makama stated.
Abubakar was immediately rushed to the Specialist Hospital, Gombe, for medical attention but was confirmed dead by doctors on arrival. His remains were subsequently deposited at the hospital’s morgue, while his relatives were informed of the incident.
Confirming the development, the Gombe State Police Public Relations Officer, Buhari Abdullahi, described the incident as an unfortunate accident.
“Yes, the incident happened within Gombe metropolis. The deceased was attending a marriage ceremony with friends. He tried to fire a shot into the air, but the Dane gun got stuck. When he attempted to check what went wrong by looking into the muzzle, the gun discharged and hit him on the head,” Abdullahi said.
He added that police operatives promptly visited the scene and ensured the victim was taken to the nearest medical facility, where he was pronounced dead.
Abdullahi used the opportunity to caution members of hunters’ associations, vigilante groups and other local security outfits on the dangers associated with mishandling firearms.
“This was an accidental discharge. We urge all those who handle locally fabricated guns, Dane guns or even pump-action firearms to exercise extreme caution in the course of their daily activities,” he warned.
The incident adds to a growing list of fatalities linked to accidental discharges involving local firearms.
In May 2023, a similar tragedy was recorded in Ogun State, where a 35-year-old hunter was accidentally shot dead by a fellow hunter during an expedition in the Odeda area.
Residents of the Alkahira community were left in shock by the incident, as the wedding celebration reportedly turned sombre following the young hunter’s death.
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