By Deborah Nnamdi
A tragic incident unfolded in Delta State when a 16-year-old boy, Ifeanyi Okafor, accidentally shot and killed his 10-year-old sister using their father’s long-range single-barrel gun.
Their father, Christian Okafor, a 50-year-old hunter, was reportedly at his farm when the event occurred. Ifeanyi, known for frequently tampering with the weapon, admitted in a video posted on Saturday by the Delta State Police Command spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, that he often played with the firearm without his father’s knowledge.
“My dad doesn’t know I play with his gun,” Ifeanyi confessed, explaining that he only handled it in his father’s absence and had no specific reason for doing so.
Recalling the moment, he said, “I was inside playing with the gun, unaware that my sister was walking through the corridor. The gun discharged and hit her.”
Ifeanyi expressed deep remorse over the incident.
Despite the emotional weight of the situation, SP Edafe emphasized that legal procedures must be followed: “The law does not recognize sentiment. An investigation must be conducted, and justice served.”
Under Nigerian law, Ifeanyi is classified as a “young person” (ages 14–17) and can be held fully responsible for his actions. However, cases involving minors are typically handled in juvenile courts under the Children and Young Persons Act (CYPL), which focuses on both accountability and the welfare of the youth.
The CYPL legally distinguishes between children (under 14) and young persons (14–17), with criminal responsibility beginning at age 12.
