Teen Shot Dead By Soldier In Akwa Ibom

A 13‑year‑old boy, Timothy Daniel, has been reportedly shot dead by a soldier attached to Sterling Petrochemical and Fertiliser Company Ltd while returning from church on New Year’s Day in Ette, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

An eyewitness who spoke with The Sun said the fatal incident occurred shortly after midnight on January 1, 2026, triggering outrage in the community.

According to Anthony Akpan, who spoke to the platform, Timothy and his sister, known as Miracle, were returning from night prayer at Mount Zion Full Gospel Church along Akongntekong Road at about 12:05 a.m. when the incident began.

Akpan said Miracle crossed to the other side of the road to urinate near the residence where the soldier was posted, and the soldier allegedly followed her and made sexual advances.

“He sexually harassed his sister by touching her buttocks,” the eyewitness said.

When the girl rebuffed him, Akpan said, the soldier became angry and forcefully caressed her again, prompting her brother to intervene.

“The victim, who was waiting for the sister on the other side of the road, joined the sister and cursed the soldier for sexually abusing his sister,” Akpan said.

The soldier then allegedly cocked his rifle and shot Timothy in the head, killing him instantly.

“He shot at the 13‑year‑old Timothy, blowing his head open while the boy fell down struggling in the pool of his blood and died on the spot,” he added.

Miracle reportedly escaped unharmed.

After the shooting, Akpan said the soldier ran into the compound where Chinese expatriates of the petrochemical plant are lodged and called his colleagues, who helped carry Timothy’s body into the expatriates’ lodge.

Miracle raised the alarm, drawing other residents to the scene. Akpan said the incident spoiled the New Year celebration and sparked violence.

“Even the BMW car belonging to a former adviser to Ikot Abasi Council Chairman on Political Matters, Obong Uyai Udoiwod, was torched as he drove to the scene,” Akpan said.

He lamented that the community had lost two youths in less than two years due to what he described as army brutality.

Reacting to the incident, Mboho Ukpum Ette, through its Publicity Secretary, Engr. Patrick Udoma described the killing as an act of terrorism by a government agency.

He said, “The President General of Mboho Ukpum Ette expresses dissatisfaction on the unprofessional manner the army personnel hired by Sterling Petrochemical unleashed mayhem on the citizens of Ukpum Ette in the murder of her citizen in the early hours of January 1st, 2026, throwing the family and the clan into mourning.

“This act is perceived as terrorism and unaccepted by the people of Ukpum Ette clan.”

The community is demanding justice and urging relevant authorities to mete out appropriate punishment to the soldier involved.

When contacted, Capt. Lawal Bala Mohamed, Army Public Relations Officer of 2 Brigade, Mbiokporo, Akwa Ibom State, confirmed the incident and assured residents that the matter was being addressed.

“The incident has been handled by the military police and is already under investigation,” he said.

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