Calls for justice after 13-year-old boy loses life during New Year encounter with soldier in Akwa Ibom
A 13-year-old student, Timothy Daniel Monday, was allegedly shot dead by a soldier attached to Sterling Global during a New Year’s Day incident in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
According to human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, the incident occurred on January 1, 2026, after a confrontation between soldiers on duty and the victim’s siblings outside a church during a crossover service.
The boy was reportedly shot moments after the sisters were asked to leave the area.
The family has reported the case to the Nigerian Army and the police. Effiong has called on the military authorities, the Ministry of Defence, and the Akwa Ibom State Government to ensure a thorough investigation, prosecution of the alleged culprit, and compensation for the family, while also criticising Sterling Global for failing to reach out to the bereaved family.
Inibehe Effiong said …
“JUSTICE FOR 13-YEAR OLD MASTER TIMOTHY DANIEL MONDAY MURDERED ON NEW YEAR’S DAY BY A SOLDIER ATTACHED TO STERLING GLOBAL
My heart has been heavy since last Friday when the sister of this young boy reached out to me to inform me about the gruesome murder or his brother.
Master Timothy Daniel Monday, a 13-year old JSS 2 student of Bensona International School, King Jaja Street, Borokiri, Port Harcourt, was murdered by a trigger-happy Army personnel on Thursday, 1st January, 2026.
The sister, Miss Miracle Daniel Monday, who is an eye witness to the tragedy, informed me that she and her family members attended a Cross Over Service at Mount Zion Church, Ette, in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
During the course of the service, Miracle stepped out with her siblings to urinate and were accosted by soldiers deployed to protect Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company Ltd. (popularly known as Sterling Global), a major Nigerian indigenous oil & gas firm involved in exploration and production (E&P).
According to Miracle, she told the soldiers to hold on for her to finish urinating, but her innocuous comment infuriated one of the soldiers who felt challenged.
The soldier then pushed her to the ground.
When she asked him why he pushed her, the soldier became more infuriated and then slapped her, and also assaulted her sister.
Another soldier later intervened, apologized to the two sisters and asked them to leave.
As they were leaving, they heard gunshots.
It turn out that the same soldier who had assaulted them had opened fire and killed Master Timothy instantly. The photos shared with me are too graphic for me to share. His brain was completely shattered.
The family reported the case to the Nigerian Army Cantonment 6 Battalion Wellington Basi Barracks, Ibagwa, Abak Local Government Area.
The case was also reported to the police.
I called Miracle this morning, she confirmed to me that till this moment, Sterling Global has not deemed it fit to contact or visit the grieving family.
I am calling on the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Army Staff, the General Officer Commanding (G.O.C.) of the 6 Battalion, Ibagwa, and the Akwa Ibom State Government to swiftly intervene in this case, ensure that the culprit is court-martialed for murder, and the family adequately compensated.
The nonchalant attitude of Sterling Global to this case, like in many other cases, is despicable and unacceptable.
No Nigerian should be killed in this manner by those who are supposed to protect them. The pain that this family has been subjected to is unimaginable. They live in Port Harcourt, and only went home for the holidays.
Section 33 of the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right to life. No one should be deprived of this scared right, except in strict compliance with the manner set by the Constitution.”
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