The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the death of a 15-year-old boy, Titus Joseph, who was allegedly shot by his 16-year-old friend, Emmanuel Danladi, with a dane gun belonging to the teenager’s father.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed the incident in a statement on Friday, noting that the case is currently under investigation.
According to him, the tragic incident occurred on March 1, 2026, at about 6 p.m. in Kwamba, Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, while the two boys were playing at Emmanuel’s residence.
Abiodun explained that Emmanuel reportedly picked up a loaded dane gun owned by his father, Danladi Baba, a member of a local vigilante group, and fired it at Titus at close range, hitting him in the stomach.
The police spokesperson said operatives from the Maje Division responded promptly to the report and moved to the scene, where the victim was evacuated to the General Hospital in Suleja. However, he was later confirmed dead.
He added that Emmanuel Danladi and his father, Danladi Baba, 51, were taken into custody over alleged negligence and culpable homicide.
Abiodun further stated that the dane gun used in the shooting was recovered by the police as evidence.
He noted that both suspects, along with the recovered firearm, have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna for further investigation and possible prosecution.
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