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What was supposed to be a wedding ceremony turned a gunshot arena after a 15-year-old guest was hit by a stray bullet.
The incident, which occurred in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, followed an accidental discharge by an official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who were to provide security at the ceremony.
According to reports, the victim identified as Veronica Kufre, is currently receiving treatment at the intensive care unit of a private clinic in the capital of the state after rejection from three different hospitals in the community.
It was also gathered that the incident happened at Nsukara community, near the University of Uyo main campus during the rush for drinks and food at the ceremony.
“Trouble started when the two security officers had joined other guests to help themselves with food.
“Unfortunately, the firearm was still in his hands when the sudden discharge occurred and sent the couple and other guests scampering for safety,” a source was quoted as saying by Channels Television on Sunday.
“But one of them was quick to redirect the nozzle of the gun to the ground and pumped the rest of the bullets in. However, the fragments had already hit the girl who was close to the security official.
“At first, we thought it was the usual gunshots that security officials would fire during burial, wedding, and other ceremonies to keep the place lively. But when the young girl collapsed to the ground with blood spill, we discovered the devil was at work to kill our joy,” the quoted source added.
Meanwhile the NSCDC spokesman in the state, Ukeme Umanah said that information regarding the incident was still sketchy.
He, however, mentioned that the State Commandant of the Corps, Abidemi Majekondunmi, had immediately put up a team to investigate the event.
