A teenage girl who was one of the guests in a wedding ceremony on Saturday at Nsukara Offot, Nwaniba, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State was hit by a stray bullet fired by an officer of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.

The victim identified as Veronica Kufre was said to be sitting beside the Operatives of NSCDC when the incident happened and she was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment.

According to an eyewitness who pleaded anonymity, “the incident occurred midway into the ceremony in Nsukara community along Nwaniba Road, close to the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) main campus.

“The couple, Uduak and Samuel, had hired some NSCDC personnel to stand guards at the event,

“The two officers hired to maintain peace and security at the event had joined other guests to help themselves to free bottles of beer and other stimulants as the merriment continued.

“Unfortunately, the firearm was still in his hands when the sudden discharge occurred and sent the couple and other guests scampering, but he was quick to re-direct the nozzle of the gun to the ground and pumped the rest of the bullets in, but the fragments had already hit Veronica Kufre, who was close to the security officials.”

The source added that they initially thought it was the usual gunshots that security officials always fire during marriage ceremonies, burials, or any other events to keep the place lively, adding that when the young girl collapsed on the ground with blood spill, it dawned on them that it was not the case.

Another source added, “We have been having cases of cults violence here in Nsukara community, so, when we heard the gunshots, we had to rush down to apprehend whoever was behind it, but we later discovered that it was an accidental discharge.”

Meanwhile, the victim has been admitted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital after three hospitals were said to have declined to admit her, due to the critical nature of her case.

Spokesman of the NSCDC, Mr. Ukeme Umana, said he has briefed the commander, Abidemi Majekondunmi, who was even asking to know “where the incident occurred.”