(JollofNews) – An eight-year-old Gambian boy is reported to have accidentally shot dead his 12-year-old foster-sister with a locally made single barrel gun (Kartus).
The boy, who has not been name was said to have been playing with his father’s loaded gun on Friday between 0900 and 10:30 am, when he pulled the trigger.
“The boy’s father, Alieu Mbaye, who resides in one of the villages in the Niamina District, Central River Region (CRR), left his locally made firearm in his house and went to the farm,” a police spokesman said.
“While Alieu was away, his 8-year-old son took the loaded firearm and shot the foster-sister ,which resulted with the cartridges penetrating into her chest, allegedly causing her instant death.”
Police said the boy sustained some injuries caused by backfire from the gun and was treated and discharged from hospital. He is currently placed in the care of the police child welfare office.
Alieu Mbaye was arrested and charged with rash and negligence act causing death and unlawfully possession of firearm without license.
Weep Not Beloveth Gambians and indeed the family of the eight and twelve year old. My Prayers to the Departed and my Embrace and Condolesence to the Eight year old for being an Unwitting Victim of the Action and Behavior of the Adults in his life. My Modest Plea to the Current Gambian Regime and all Stakeholders is for the Designated and or Appropriate Officials to Engage in a Public Safety Campaign to Advise, Educate, Train and Sensitize the Gambian Public about the Dangers Inherit With the Proliferation of Arms and Possession of Arms by Civilians. The Gambian government needs to be Proactive and Formulate Public Policies that addresses Public Safety, Security, the Peace and Tranquility of the Gambians of all Social Strata and Background. The Government Should Endeavor to Utilize the Media, Community Associations, Organizations, and Clubs to REACH OUT TO ALL. During this month of Ramadan, Pray and Hope that like during Lent, the Gambia and Gambians would look within and Resolve to Forgive and Seek Forgiveness. I pray that a Significant number of Gambians would Change from the Fatalistic Tendencies that Bedevilled us in the Past and continues to Bedevil us at the Present. We are fond of resolving Acts of Corruption, Irresponsibility, Political Athoritarianism, Criminality and Negligence with a Declaration of “Allah la ke”, “Eh emitai ka ne”, “Ndogali Yalla la”. Not everything can or should be considered or classified as such. Significantly, the Public need to be Sensitive to the Collective Negligence, Dereliction of Duty, Responsibility and Citizenship to our Society. Collective Security and Peaceful Co-exitence demands that we work deligent and tirelessly to Mitigate our Fatalistic Tendencies of accepting things as they are, not what they Can be if we only respecfully spoke up or advocated for the victim or “Right Thing”. It is Fatalistic to add to the Overloading of a Taxi or any Vehicle whether Private or Public. It is Fatalistic to run a Traffic light, as much as it is fatalistic to drive a vehicle that is “Not road worthy” Certified. This is an accident waiting to happen. It is Fatalistic to Accept or Fraternise an illegal Enterprise such as a Dispensary that is an “Open Secret” of being a “Stolen Medicine” Den Without a Qualified Trained Personnel. The Medicine may be expired or worse Counterfeit that may end up Killing you instead of Curing you. It is Fatalistic for all concerned to tolerate Shoddy workmanship just because it is Cheaper than Professional ones. To all Parents, husbands and wives, please know that it is Fatalistic to subject your daughters to FGM. There is evidence that it is a significant contributor to the high Maternity deaths around the World, especially in Africa where it is Practiced. It is Fatalistic to Consume unsanitary food from unsanitary food Vendors or Open markets. Citizenship, Public Safety, and Security are the Tri-Pod on which a Healthy, Peaceful and Prosperous Nation State is Tethered on. Let’s endeavor to Articulate, imbibe and live by our Collective Security and Peaceful Co-exitence and Not Fatalism of the Present.
This is very bad, the government should pass a legal rule that nobody should have such guns or weapons at home, besides the countries security force.
All weapons and guns not declare must face heavy penalty if found.