A disturbing case of police negligence has unfolded in Abuja, where a church worker, John Bargo, was accidentally shot by a police officer during a reckless display of horseplay with a loaded rifle.
The incident occurred on April 23 at the Baptist Church in Kaura District. Bargo, a church staff member, was outside waiting to collect a guitar he had ordered. He sat near Officer Umar, one of two police officers posted for routine security in the area.
According to eyewitnesses, the other officer, Ahmed, approached Umar and seized his rifle in a playful manner. What began as a joke escalated into chaos when the weapon, loaded with a round in the chamber, discharged during the tussle, striking Bargo in the leg and shattering his femur.
“He just grabbed the gun and started playing with it,” a witness said. “Before we could blink, there was a loud bang, and John was on the ground screaming.”
The aftermath has raised serious concerns. Officer Ahmed reportedly fled the scene and went into hiding. Meanwhile, Officer Umar resumed duty as if nothing had happened, with no disciplinary action or investigation made public.
The church, lacking insurance coverage, was forced to suspend a major development project to fund Bargo’s emergency surgery and recovery, totaling over ₦5 million. Bargo survived the incident but faces a long and uncertain path to recovery.
To date, no formal charges have been filed against the officers involved, and the lack of accountability has drawn sharp criticism from community members and human rights observers.
