STRAY BULLET KILLS 20-MONTH-OLD CHILD IN IMO, FAMILY DEMANDS JUSTICE
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Tragedy struck in Umuoba-Uratta, Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, on Monday night as a 20-month-old child, Emmanuel Eleweke, was reportedly killed by a stray bullet from an unknown source.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident occurred around 10 p.m., leaving the community in shock and the family of the toddler devastated.
Emmanuel, the third child of Mr. and Mrs. Okechukwu Eleweke, was reportedly with his mother, Kelechi, when the bullet struck. Recounting the harrowing moment, the grieving mother told NAN that she and her son had just finished praying and were preparing for bed when the tragedy happened.
“I was with him on my bed after dinner and night prayers. One of my prayer points was that his father would not die a premature death, and my son even said ‘Amen,’” she narrated tearfully.
“We were playing when he lay on me to sleep. Suddenly, he rolled off my body and lay on the bed. Then I heard a loud sound and felt particles like sand hit my body. My son began screaming ‘Mummy, mummy!’ and the next thing I saw was blood everywhere—on his body and the bed.”
Mrs. Eleweke said she rushed out of the house with her son to seek help. Her husband, Okechukwu, joined in the effort to save the child by taking him to a nearby private hospital. However, they were denied treatment after a man, believed to be a medical worker, allegedly demanded a police report before attending to the child.
“He only put a plaster around his head and told us to take him to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri,” she said.
Due to her half-dressed state, Mrs. Eleweke returned home while her husband continued with their son to FMC.
According to Mr. Eleweke, the child remained alive during the transit but was pronounced dead on arrival at the emergency paediatric ward of FMC Owerri.
“The doctor quickly examined him and said he was already dead,” he said, visibly distressed.
The family has since been left in confusion, as the source of the bullet remains unknown. The incident has reignited concerns over public safety and the indiscriminate use of firearms.
Community members and rights advocates are calling for a thorough investigation by security agencies to uncover the source of the stray bullet and ensure justice for the young victim.
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