A Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) officer, identified as Joseph Ali, has died after a locally made rifle he was handling accidentally discharged and hit him in the left eye in Abuja.
The incident happened around 7:30 a.m. in Compensation Layout, Old Kutunku, while Ali was preparing to leave his home for work.
A police signal obtained by SaharaReporters said Ali had picked up the rifle, which he reportedly used to protect the community, intending to hide it before leaving for duty. He was allegedly unaware that the weapon was cocked.
The rifle went off as he picked it up, with pellets striking his left eye. The incident reportedly happened in the presence of his wife and children.
Ali was rushed to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, where a doctor confirmed him dead. His remains were later deposited at the hospital mortuary pending an autopsy.
The case has been referred to the Department of Criminal Investigation for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
