Family Demands Justice For 13-year-old Shot Dead By Soldier In Akwa Ibom

Family members of Master Timothy Daniel Monday, a promising 13-year-old JSS 2 student, whose life was cut short by the bullets of a randy soldier in the early hours of January 1, 2026, say his spirit is crying for vengeance. They say the only offence of the young man was having the boldness to challenge the soldier for allegedly sexually molesting his elder sister. INIOBONG EKPONTA captures the mood of the Ukpum Ete community and his immediate family in Ikot Abasi LGA of Akwa Ibom State

For little Master Timothy Daniel Monday, a JSS 2 student of Bensona International School (BIS), Borokiri, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, he couldn’t have traveled home for the recent Christmas and New Year razzmatazz usually characterized by fanciful plays of Ekpo masquerades, visit to the ancient sites of Lord Lugard’s house, the monument depicting the Aba Women riot of 1929, the slave house and other colonial relics, all at Ikot Abasi museum arena, if he had had any inkling of an evil lurking around in his community, waiting to bid him good bye just as several knock-outs and other fireworks heralded the new year.

Just as the singing and praying sessions ended at about 12:15am at the Mount Zion Full Gospel Church, the excitement of returning home to prepare for the new year’s service, coupled with feasting on chicken, rice and drinks later in the day, may have formed part of his thoughts for the day.

Perhaps, such beautiful moments of associating and exchanging love banters with other siblings, friends, cousins and other visitors gingered him to challenge an armed soldier who accosted her sister, Miracle Daniel Monday, 15, for making sexual advances at her on such a very busy day.

The church, LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered, shared the same fence with the compound of the late clan head of Ukpum Ete community, HRH Clement Udoiwod, used as quarters for the Chinese expatriates working for a petrochemical and fertiliser processing firm.

According to an eyewitness, Anthony Akpan, upon leaving the church, the deceased, accompanied by his sister and other worshippers, came face to face with the killer soldier and some colleagues standing guard along Akongntekong Road, around the vicinity.

While the boy was trying to pee during the wee hours, the sister was being intimidated by an Ak-47-wielding soldier who, perhaps, he believed, would be easily intimidated by the sight of the gun – to yield to his sexual advances, but what he got was heap of insults.

Apparently agitated by the ugly scene, the poor boy was said to have joined in the abusive session to let her sister go, so as to join in the compound cleaning and kitchen services of cooking rice, slaughtering of chickens and arranging the sitting rooms and other places in the compound for later-in-day visitors.

“The young girl snubbed him and he became angry and touched her buttocks. At this point, Miracle got angry and cursed him for touching her buttocks and he became furious and threatened the girl.

“The brother, who was waiting for the sister on the other side of the road, joined the sister and cursed the soldier for sexually molesting her. And the soldier threatened them as they continued to abuse him for touching Miracle’s sensitive part.

“When the girl strongly resisted, the soldier shoved her, but his other soldier colleagues came to her aid. The other soldiers, after rescuing her and asked them to go, were oblivious of the fact that their infuriated colleague didn’t let go. After his colleagues had dispersed, thinking it was all over, the soldier did the unthinkable,” he recalled.

He was said to have corked his riffle in a frenzy mood depicting a kind of frightful scene in a horror film, emptied the magazine in young Timothy’s brain, and he bled to death instantly.

When it dawned on him that he had committed one of the worst crimes against a young innocent boy, and apparently confused on the next line of action to cover the intentional offence against God and humanity, he quickly emerged from the compound and pulled the corpse inside, but the picture of the horrible scene with the boy soaked in his own blood, had already been taken.

However, the pandemonium that erupted, spoilt the new year celebrations as the angry youths vented their anger on properties including cars. A BMW car belonging to a former adviser on Political Matters to Ikot Abasi chairman, Obong Uyai Udoiwod, was also torched.

Checks by our correspondent revealed that the petrochemical firm had been shut with stern soldiers drafted to guard the facility and the Chinese expatriates’ compound.

Reacting to the incident, the apex socio-cultural organisation in the area, Mboho Ukpum Ete, through the publicity secretary, Engr. Patrick Udoma, in a statement made available to our correspondent, described the bloody attack on a defenceless teenager as “a cowardly act of terrorism by a randy soldier using arm as a weapon of rape, instead of using it against criminal elements.

”The president general of Mboho Ukpum Ete, expresses dissatisfaction on the unprofessional manner the army personnel of Sterling Petrochemical unleashed mayhem on the citizens of Ukpum Ete in the murder of her citizen in the early hours of January 1, 2026, throwing the family and the clan into mourning.

“This act is perceived as terrorism and an unacceptable act of cowardice by a Nigerian Army officer trained and paid by the Nigerian government to protect the ordinary civilian for which the gun was meant to protect.”

The Ukpum Ete clan, therefore demand justice, and called on the relevant authorities to appropriate accurate punishment against the trigger-happy soldier.

Similarly, another sister socio-political youths’ organisation, the Ukpum Ete Unity Association (UEUA), condemned what they called “the violent and hostile relationship of the Sterling Global Ltd,” recalling that the firm has committed a lot of atrocious actions against the host communities since it berthed in the area.

The group, led by its president, Mr. Eno Ebenezer, and the secretary, Hon. Emmanuel Ekwere, described the latest bloodshed as one misconduct too many in a community held hostage by an oil exploration firm welcomed with open arms, even when there was no conclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding its corporate social responsibility (CSR) to the host community.

More worrisome to the Ukpum Ete community leaders, elders and stakeholders, according to them, was the real motive behind their mission to the community as series of infractions and breaches of social norms have characterised their operations in the land.

The association recalled that last year, a 17-year-old, identified as Master Elijah Sunday Jackson, was also mowed down in similar fashion over allegation of involvement in illegal oil bunkering.

“Our beloved son was 17 years old, from Ekpuk Inang village In Ukpum Ete Clan,Ikot Abasi LGA.

“It’s on record that on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, the life of a youngster, Master Elijah Sunday Jackson, was abruptly cut off by a military officer who left his assigned duty post at Sterling Petro-chemical company located on our soil, Okopedi Ete, to pursue his selfish interest.

“None of our children indulge in the stealing of diesel products from the said Sterling Petro-chemical and fertiliser company, neither have our association nor our community ever heard of any stolen products from the said company until the day our beloved son was shot dead.The Army officer left his assigned duty post, pursued innocent Nigerians into the hinterland for no just cause.

“The action and inaction of the said army officer is against the ethics of his rules of engagement which ought to be punitive. When the incident happened almost a year ago, we had called on the government of Akwa Ibom State, the Nigeria Army and the federal government of Nigeria to set up independent panel of inquiry to investigate the unruly action of the said military officer and the ugly activities of military personnel attached/assigned to Sterling Petro-chemical and fertilizer company operating on our land at Okopedi Ete, to adhere strictly to the rules of engagement governing their services.

“This was to forestall future occurrence and to direct Sterling Petro-chemical Company to adequately compensate the bereaved family.”

But was such future occurrence forestalled with this latest development? No. The reason why the anger exacerbated with the renewed anger by the host communities against the military personnel assigned to maintain peace for the oil exploration and exploitation in the communities to hold.

Joining the condemnation-spree against the dastardly act of the gruesome murder of the boy, Comrade Inibehe Effiong, a human rights lawyer, expressed dismay at such deliberate act, and called for appropriate punishment to deter others from resorting to such brazen act of man’s inhumanity to man.

Calling for calm in the face of the growing discontents trailing the murder of the young lad, the chairman of Ikot Abasi LGA, Hon. Ime Williamson Essien, urged his subjects to maintain peace in the face of the provocative situation.

“The attention of the chairman of Ikot Abasi LGA , Hon. Ime Williamson Essien, has been drawn to a pathetic report of an alleged murder of a teenager by a soldier attached to Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer LTD in Ete in the early hours of January 1st, 2026.

“While the chairman condemns the act in totality, he appeals strongly for calm as he awaits official report of the incident for official engagement.

“The chairman strongly sympathises with the family of the deceased and assures commitment to ensure justice as soon as the matter is reported,” he admonished.

However, to assuage the pains and the emotional trauma, the family has demanded a N500 million compensation.

The family also requested for a benefiting building and employment for all the eight surviving siblings of the deceased.

The expenses, LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered, the family said, should be jointly borne by the Nigerian Army and Sterling Petrochemical and Fertiliser LTD, the company the killer soldier was attached to before the New Year tragic incident.

Mr and Mrs Daniel Monday, parents of the slain teenager, made the demands during a meeting with representatives of the Army and the clan head of Ukpuum Ete, HRH, Nsikan Udom.

Mother of the deceased, Mrs. Aniebiet, fighting back tears, told our correspondent that she was giving the Army and the company two weeks ultimatum as a condition for burying the deceased.

“The army man, I learnt, was high on alcohol and drugs. He was trying to sexually harass my daughter and my son opposed him. Before anybody could say anything, he pulled out his gun and shot my son on his head.

“He had earlier used his gun to hit my daughter on the head. He shot my son and killed him on the spot with his brain scattered on the ground.

“My daughters started crying and wanted to carry the corpse of their brother, but the army man started beating them. They fainted and had to be rushed to the hospital.

“Before you know it, soldiers gathered and started shooting into the air and throwing tear gas. As I speak, my son’s corpse is still with the army,_ she lamented.

On what she wants done to assuage the deadly attack, Mrs. Aniebiet, said: “No amount of money can bring back my son to life, but I want the army and Sterling Petrochemical and Fertiliser Company Ltd to pay my family N500 million.

“I also want them to build a befitting house for me and employ eight of my surviving daughters within two weeks so that the corpse of my son can be buried.”

However, the State Headquarters of 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, has sued for calm, urging peaceful disposition as the military was working towards addressing the security infractions.

The Director in charge of Army Public Relations (APR), Capt. Lawal Bala Mohammed, in his condolences to the deceased’s family, urged for calm, while waiting for the outcome of the military – Police investigation.

The statement read: “The 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Mbiokporo, Nsit Ubium LGA, Akwa Ibom State, wishes to inform the general public of an unfortunate incident involving a minor, Timothy Daniel (13 years old), which occurred on 1 January 2026 in Ete, Ikot Abasi LGA, of Akwa Ibom State.

“In line with standard procedures, the Nigerian Army immediately instituted an investigation to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident.

“The investigation is currently ongoing, and no findings or conclusions have been reached at this stage. Accordingly, the Nigerian Army urges the general public to refrain from speculation or commentary that may prejudice the investigative process.

“The outcome of the investigation will be made public upon its conclusion, in accordance with extant laws and regulations.

“The Nigerian Army expresses its sincere sympathy and condolences to the family and loved ones of Timothy Daniel, and commiserates with them over his loss. We pray for the repose of his soul.

“The Nigerian Army appreciates the understanding and cooperation of the general public and reiterates its unwavering commitment to professionalism, strict adherence to the rules of engagement, and accountability in the conduct of its personnel,” the statement reads.

Calling for personnel auditing and profiling of the military workforce in Nigeria, a retired senior military officer, who would not want his name in print, blamed what he described as “faulty recruitment process as a foundation for corruption and other attitudinal malaise diminishing the morale and the fighting force of some military personnel.”

He noted that “the man-know-man syndrome used in recruiting personnel into the force without checking their mental state and their history of drugs indulgence accounted for series of unprofessionalism, indiscipline and untoward behaviours of some officers,” as being responsible for the bad eggs in the military.

For instance, he recalled that perhaps, due to proper motivation, a thieving solder of the 6 Battalion, Ibagwa, Abak LGA, Akwa Ibom State dismissed from service for murder and armed robbery, about five years, Corporal Stephen Iweh, was sentenced to death for killing someone who gave him a lift, along the East-West Road, going to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The convicted soldier, who was sentenced to death last year, had stopped to give a lift to a stranded soldier along the East- West Road, but at the Ikot Abasi portion of the road, the gun- wielding soldier overpowered the driver, shot him dead and seized his vehicle with which he drove to a hide out hotel in Ukanafun LGA, before being discovered after series of alarm because of the personality involved.

LEADERSHIP Weekend recalls that the State High Court sitting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom capital, presided over by Justice Bassey Nkanang, had handed down the sentence, after prosecutors proved that the convict had killed a 42-year-old man, one Christopher Enobong Jimmy, who offered him a lift from the port city of Onne, in Rivers State to Uyo.

The convict, who was still in service and in military camouflage with arms, overpowered the deceased, shot him to death and fled with the car.

And according to the particulars of the case, the incident occurred on 23rd May, 2021, along the Ikot Abasi LGA portion of the East-West Road.

Recall that the late Jimmy, who was the manager of a clearing and forwarding company in Port Harcourt, had offered Corporal Iweh a lift in his car from Trailer Park in Onne, Rivers State, to Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom State.

“Along the way, at Oboro Junction in Ikot Abasi, the 39-year-old soldier shot him dead before fleeing with the vehicle and valuables.