By SUNTV Global Channel
January 7, 2026 | News
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has raised alarm over the alleged killing of a 13-year-old boy, Timothy Daniel Monday, by a soldier attached to Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company Ltd. (Sterling Global) in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, calling for immediate military action and government intervention.
Effiong disclosed the incident in a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, revealing that the boy, a JSS 2 student of Bensona International School, Port Harcourt, was reportedly shot dead on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026, during an encounter involving soldiers guarding Sterling Global’s oil facility.
What Happened
According to Effiong, the account of the incident was provided by the victim’s elder sister, Miss Miracle Daniel Monday, who witnessed the events leading to the fatal shooting.
The family had reportedly attended a crossover service at Mount Zion Church, Ette, in Ikot Abasi. During the service, Miracle and her siblings briefly stepped outside the church premises.
“While outside, they were confronted by soldiers deployed to protect Sterling Global’s facility,” Effiong stated.
He said Miracle explained that a misunderstanding occurred when she asked the soldiers to allow her finish urinating.
“Her harmless request allegedly angered one of the soldiers, who pushed her to the ground. When she questioned his action, the soldier slapped her and also assaulted her sister,” Effiong said.
According to the lawyer, another soldier later intervened, apologized to the girls, and asked them to leave the area.
“As they were walking away, they suddenly heard gunshots,” he added.
Moments later, the family discovered that Timothy Daniel Monday had been shot by the same soldier and died from the gunshot wound.
Family Reports Incident
Effiong disclosed that the family promptly reported the killing to the Nigerian Army’s 6 Battalion, Wellington Basi Barracks, Ibagwa, Abak Local Government Area, as well as to the police.
However, he expressed concern over what he described as silence and indifference from the oil company involved.
“I spoke with Miracle again this morning, and she confirmed that Sterling Global has neither visited nor contacted the grieving family since the incident,” he said.
Call for Accountability
Condemning the killing, Effiong called on top military and government authorities to act swiftly.
“I am calling on the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Army Staff, the General Officer Commanding of the 6 Battalion, and the Akwa Ibom State Government to urgently intervene, ensure the soldier involved is court-martialed for murder, and that the family is adequately compensated,” he said.
He described the alleged conduct of the soldier as a gross abuse of power and criticised what he termed the oil company’s “nonchalant and despicable” attitude.
“No Nigerian should be killed in this manner by those assigned to protect lives and property,” Effiong said. “This family travelled from Port Harcourt to spend the holidays at home, only to return in grief.”
Constitutional Violation Alleged
The lawyer further argued that the killing constitutes a violation of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“Section 33 of the Constitution guarantees the right to life. No one should be deprived of this sacred right except as expressly permitted by law,” he stated.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army, Sterling Global, and the Akwa Ibom State Government had not issued any official statement regarding the incident.
The killing has sparked renewed public outrage over alleged excessive use of force by security personnel deployed to protect private corporate interests, with growing calls for transparency, justice, and accountability.
