The owner of the gun, Adegesin, has been arrested for “contributory negligence.” The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident to journalists.
Oyeyemi explained that the 45-year-old suspect was arrested following a report lodged at Imasayi Divisional headquarters of the police that a 13-year-old boy shot and killed the deceased. Upon arriving at the scene, the police discovered the deceased in the pool of her blood.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Adegesin loaded his dane gun and carelessly kept it in an open place in the backyard of the house where children used to play. There, the 13-year-old Babalola picked up the loaded gun, pointed it at the deceased, and pulled the trigger.
The deceased was quickly taken to General Hospital Ilaro, where she was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty. The owner of the dane gun was promptly arrested and taken to the station for interrogation.
The Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba, has directed that the case be transferred to the Homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation. Mba described the incident as unfortunate and sympathized with the deceased’s family, appealing for calm.
The tragic incident has brought attention to the need for stricter gun control laws in Nigeria. The country has been grappling with insecurity, including banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism, in recent years.
The proliferation of small arms and light weapons has been identified as one of the major factors fueling the crisis. In response, the government has introduced several measures, including the establishment of a National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).
However, incidents like this highlight the need for more stringent measures to regulate the possession and use of firearms. It is also a reminder that gun owners are responsible for ensuring that their weapons do not fall into the wrong hands.
The tragedy has left the community in shock, and there are calls for Adegesin to be held accountable for his negligence. As investigations continue, the hope is that justice will be served and measures put in place to prevent similar incidents in the future.