A 13 year old boy was fatally shot during a confrontation with a soldier attached to Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer Limited in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, in the early hours of New Year day, residents said.
The victim has been named as Timothy Daniel. Witnesses said the incident unfolded shortly after midnight on January 1, 2026, as families returned from a crossover night service at Mount Zion Full Gospel Church on Akongntekong Road.
An eyewitness, Anthony Akpan, told reporters the trouble began when the victim’s 15 year old sister was allegedly harassed by the soldier as she stepped away from the congregation.
According to Akpan, the girl rebuffed the advances and was slapped, prompting her younger brother to intervene and to exchange words with the soldier.
“After the insults, the soldier allegedly drew his weapon and shot the boy,” Akpan said.
He added that the youth died instantly and that soldiers at the compound then dragged the body inside.
The witness said the shooting sparked chaos in the neighbourhood and marred New Year celebrations.
Local leaders described the killing as shocking and unprovoked.
In a statement, the publicity secretary of Mboho Ukpum Ete, Patrick Udoma, said the clan viewed the act as terrorism and demanded that the soldier be prosecuted.
“The family and the clan are in mourning. We want justice and appropriate punishment for the trigger happy soldier,” the statement said.
The Army’s 2 Brigade has acknowledged the report.
Captain Lawal Bala Mohamed, the brigade Public Relations Officer, said military police are handling the matter and that an investigation is under way.
The community is calling for transparency and swift action as investigators probe the circumstances surrounding the shooting.