A 12-year-old boy, Musa Audu Idrisa, has died after being fatally shot with a Dane gun by an eight-year-old neighbour in Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri, Borno State.

Sources said the incident occurred on Wednesday at about 5:30 p.m. while the children were playing at home.

The young shooter, Abubakar Inusa, reportedly gained access to a loaded Dane gun that had been negligently kept unsecured by his father, Inusa Mohammed, a 45-year-old member of the Nigerian Hunters Group.

The victim was immediately evacuated to the State Specialists Hospital Maiduguri but was certified dead on arrival. His body was released to the family for burial according to Islamic rites.

Police confirmed that the weapon used in the incident has been recovered and that investigations are ongoing into the negligent act by the parent responsible for securing the firearm.

Security operatives said a full inquiry by the State Criminal Investigation Department is underway to prevent similar incidents and ensure accountability. (Zagazola, excluding headline)