A 10-year-old boy in Awka, Anambra State, has accidentally shot and killed his father, a police inspector, with an AK-47 rifle assigned to the officer.
The tragic incident occurred on Sunday evening at the family residence in the state capital, according to a statement by the Anambra State Police Command.
The deceased officer, identified as Inspector Okolie Amechi, was reportedly at home when the child, unaware that the rifle was loaded, pulled the trigger.
The bullet struck the inspector in the back and also injured one of his younger children in the hand.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident, said the injured child is receiving treatment and is responding well.
“The incident occurred inside the family residence in Awka when the young boy, unknowingly handling an AK-47 rifle assigned to his father, discharged the weapon,” the statement read.
“The bullet struck Inspector Amechi fatally in the back and also injured one of his other children in the hand.
“The wounded child is reportedly responding to treatment in the hospital, while Inspector Amechi was confirmed dead on arrival by the attending doctor.”
Ikenga added that the rifle has been recovered while the officer’s remains have been deposited in a morgue.
The command described the incident as “unfortunate” and expressed condolences to the bereaved family, while also wishing the injured child a speedy recovery.
It remains unclear how the child gained access to the weapon, but security experts have long warned of the dangers of keeping loaded firearms within the reach of minors.
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