Mistura Murtala, 11, was shot in the leg and was rushed to Olukayode Hospital, Orile Iganmu, where she is currently receiving emergency medical treatment.

An 11-year-old girl, Mistura Murtala, and an elderly man, Sodiq Aremu, have been reportedly shot by police officers during a naming ceremony in Orile Iganmu, Lagos.

SaharaReporters gathered that the incident happened on Wednesday night, with both victims currently hospitalised.

The Movement for the Transformation of Nigeria (MOTION), Apapa Coordinating Structure, which disclosed the incident in a statement made available to SaharaReporters on Saturday, has demanded an immediate, transparent and independent investigation into the shooting.

According to MOTION Apapa, the incident occurred at about 8pm on September 23, 2026, around Ekunjinmi/Wewe Street, Orile Iganmu, during a naming ceremony gathering in the community.

The police officers arrived at the gathering and attempted to stop the event, including the activities of the DJ, the group narrated, citing an eyewitness. The residents, however, resisted the attempt because, according to account, there was no apparent justification for stopping the gathering. 

Unfortunately, during the ensuing incident, firearms were discharged, injuring two residents.

Mistura Murtala, 11, was shot in the leg and was rushed to Olukayode Hospital, Orile Iganmu, where she is currently receiving emergency medical treatment.

MOTION Apapa said it had spoken with members of Mistura’s family, including her mother and brother, and was following her condition.

Sodiq Aremu, an elderly man, was equally shot in the neck, the group revealed, adding that he is currently hospitalised and had been advised to undergo emergency surgery, with the cost estimated at about ₦500,000.

MOTION Apapa said it was particularly concerned by accounts identifying a police officer popularly known as “Kola” as being involved in the incident.

An eyewitness interviewed by the group specifically identified the officer and said he witnessed him discharge a firearm, resulting in the injury to the young girl.

The group said the accounts must be properly investigated and corroborated through available evidence and witness testimony.

It demanded an answers on "why were police officers called to the gathering What specific offence, disturbance or threat were the officers responding to? Why was the gathering being stopped?

"Which police officers were present at the scene? Who discharged the firearm? Why was a firearm discharged in a populated residential environment? What circumstances existed at the moment the firearm was discharged?

"What official report was made concerning the firearm discharge and the injuries sustained by the victims? What steps have been taken to investigate and document the injuries? What measures have been taken to preserve witness accounts and other available evidence?"

The group described the shooting of an 11-year-old child as a matter of the highest urgency, citing Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which protects the right to life, and Section 34, which protects the dignity of the human person.

“The issue before the public is not whether the police have legitimate security responsibilities. The issue is how those powers were exercised on the night of 23 September 2026 and why an 11-year-old child and an elderly resident ended up with gunshot injuries,” the group said.

MOTION Apapa said it had received an account that a traditional community leader, referred to locally as the Baale, allegedly told the girl’s parent that the injury was caused by tear gas rather than a firearm.

Given the confirmed use of a firearm and the reported gunshot injury, the group said any such claim should be tested against medical and other available evidence. It is treating the matter as an allegation requiring proper verification. It warned that no individual should interfere with, distort or suppress evidence relating to an injury of this nature.

The group also said it had received information concerning an earlier alleged encounter between Sodiq Aremu and the police officer known as “Kola”, including an allegation of a previous arrest. It described this as a separate matter requiring verification and said credible evidence of previous incidents involving the same officer should also be properly documented and investigated.

MOTION Apapa acknowledged that the Divisional Police Officer of Orile Police Station had been informed of the incident and that medical assistance was reportedly provided to one of the victims.

It welcomed the intervention but insisted that providing medical assistance did not remove the need for a transparent investigation into why the shooting occurred, who discharged the firearm and whether the conduct complied with the law and applicable police rules.

MOTION Apapa called for: "An immediate, impartial and transparent investigation into the September 23, 2026 shooting.

"The identification of every police officer involved in the operation. The preservation of all available photographs, videos, medical records, witness accounts, police reports and other relevant evidence, including CCTV footage where it exists.

"Full medical support for both victims, particularly the emergency treatment required by Mr. Sodiq Aremu. Protection of the victims, their families and witnesses from intimidation, retaliation or interference. 

"A proper investigation into the firearm discharged during the incident and the circumstances in which it was used. Accountability in accordance with the law if the investigation establishes misconduct or unlawful conduct; and appropriate redress and support for the victims."

MOTION Apapa said it was not calling for mob justice, violence or for anyone to prejudge a criminal trial.

The group said police officers are entrusted with firearms because the state has given them the responsibility of protecting lives and maintaining public safety, adding that this responsibility comes with an equally serious duty to exercise force lawfully, responsibly and with the necessary restraint.

“When an 11-year-old child is shot in the leg and an elderly man is shot in the neck, the public deserves more than silence. The victims deserve answers. Their families deserve justice. The evidence must be preserved. The circumstances must be investigated,” the statement said.