Veronica Kufre, a 15-year-old girl, was hit by a stray bullet at a wedding in Nsukara, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday, following an accidental discharge from a gun held by an official of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

An eyewitness told ChannelsTv on Sunday that the incident occurred after the officer, whose job was to provide security at the event, joined the rush for food and drinks.

“Trouble started when two security operatives joined other guests to help themselves with food. Unfortunately, the firearm was still in one of the officers’ hands when the sudden discharge occurred and sent the couple and other guests running for safety,” he said.

READ ALSO: Buhari to Consider ‘All Options’, Including Proscribing Yoruba Nation

“But one of them was quick to redirect the nozzle of the gun to the ground and pump the rest of the bullets in. However, the fragments had already hit the victim who was close to the security official.

“At first, we thought it was the usual gunshots that security officials would fire during burial, wedding, and other ceremonies to keep the place lively. But when the young girl collapsed to the ground with blood spilt, we discovered the devil was at work to ‘kill’ our joy.”

Ukeme Umanah, the Uyo State NSCDC spokesperson, said the state command was working to verify what happened and that the victim was in a stable condition.