Kuje Prison Shooting: Officer Allegedly Shot Commander After Child’s Death

A senior non-commissioned officer at the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abuja, allegedly opened fire on his commanding officer after being informed that his sick child had died, an officer familiar with the incident has disclosed.

The SNCO was subsequently shot and killed during the incident, which occurred at about 9:37am on Monday, September 7, 2026, while personnel were on duty at the custodial centre.

According to the officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to discuss the incident publicly, the SNCO had earlier requested permission from his commanding officer to leave duty and visit his family after receiving information that his child was seriously ill.

The request was allegedly refused.

The source said the situation took a tragic turn when the SNCO was later informed that his child had died.

Overcome by anger and frustration, the officer allegedly confronted his commanding officer and fired at him.

The commander reportedly managed to dodge the bullet before returning fire at the SNCO, who sustained a gunshot wound and subsequently died.

The source’s account provides additional details to earlier reports that the SNCO had fired at his commanding officer before later being found with a gunshot injury.

Security analyst, Zagazola Makama, had reported that the incident occurred while personnel were on duty and that the SNCO initially missed his target after the commanding officer moved away.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting have since triggered an investigation by the relevant authorities.

The deceased officer’s remains were reportedly evacuated to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, for further action.

The latest account, however, could not be independently verified at the time of filing, while authorities had yet to publicly confirm the alleged disagreement over the officer’s request to visit his sick child.

The incident has raised questions about the circumstances leading to the confrontation and whether the tragedy could have been prevented.

Investigators are expected to establish the sequence of events, including the circumstances surrounding the officer’s request for release, the subsequent death of his child and the fatal exchange of gunfire.