New Year Tragedy as Soldier Allegedly Shoots 13-Year-Old Boy in Ikot Abasi
A New Year celebration turned tragic in the early hours of January 1, 2026, as a 13-year-old boy, identified as Timothy Daniel, was allegedly shot dead by a soldier attached to Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer Limited in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The incident reportedly occurred around 12:05 a.m. along Akongntekong Road, Ete, as Timothy and his 15-year-old sister, Miracle Daniel, were returning from a crossover service at Mount Zion Full Gospel Church.
An eyewitness, Anthony Akpan, told reporters that the incident happened shortly after midnight. According to him, Miracle had briefly crossed the road near a residence housing Chinese expatriates to ease herself when the soldier, who was on guard duty at the premises, allegedly followed her and made inappropriate advances.
Akpan alleged that when the teenager rebuffed the soldier, he became angry and touched her buttocks, prompting her to curse him. The situation escalated when Timothy, who had been waiting nearby, confronted the soldier over the alleged sexual harassment of his sister.
“The soldier threatened them as they continued to challenge him for touching the girl. Suddenly, he cocked his rifle and shot Timothy,” Akpan said.
Timothy reportedly died instantly after being hit by the gunshot. The eyewitness further alleged that the soldier retreated into the compound, while other soldiers later came out and moved the boy’s body inside the premises.
The shooting sparked chaos in the community, disrupting New Year celebrations. During the ensuing pandemonium, a vehicle belonging to a former political adviser to the Ikot Abasi Local Government Chairman, Obong Uyai Udoiwod, was reportedly damaged.
Akpan lamented what he described as repeated cases of military brutality in the area, noting that the community had lost two youths in less than two years under similar circumstances.
Reacting to the incident, the leadership of Mboho Ukpum Ete, through its Publicity Secretary, Engr. Patrick Udoma, condemned the killing, describing it as an act of terrorism.
“The President General of Mboho Ukpum Ete expresses deep dissatisfaction with the unprofessional conduct of the army personnel attached to Sterling Petrochemical, which resulted in the killing of an indigene of Ukpum Ete in the early hours of January 1, 2026,” the statement read. “This act is perceived as terrorism and is unacceptable to the people of Ukpum Ete clan.”
The group called on relevant authorities to ensure justice by meting out appropriate punishment to the soldier involved.
When contacted, the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations (ADAPR), 2 Brigade, Mbiokporo, Captain Lawal Bala Mohamed, confirmed the incident, stating that the matter had been taken over by the military police and was currently under investigation.
