Chemical Incident in Adamawa Leaves Teenager Hospitalized
A disturbing incident in Adamawa State has left a 17-year-old student hospitalized after allegedly being sprayed with a chemical substance by a classmate. The event, which occurred on January 14, 2026, has raised serious safety concerns within the local community and prompted police intervention.
Victim's Account of the Alleged Attack
Kassim Babagana Walid, the 17-year-old victim, reported to Shagari Division Police Headquarters that he was attacked while heading to evening prayers at the mosque. According to his statement, he had just completed an errand for his mother when he encountered neighbors Idris Hamza and Abba. As they walked together toward the mosque, Walid suddenly felt a burning sensation on his face.
"When I left home, I saw our neighbors, Idris and Abba, and I told them we should go and pray," Walid recounted. "Then Abba came along, as we were going, I felt something being sprayed on my face that immediately became very hot. It started burning like acid. When Abba and I turned back, we saw Idris holding a syringe in his hand."
Walid stated that when he questioned Idris about the substance, the suspect claimed it was merely a mixture of oil, salt, and water. Following Idris's suggestion, Walid washed his face with soap and water, but the pain intensified dramatically. After approximately twenty minutes of questioning, Walid contacted Idris's mother and subsequently reported the incident to police authorities.
"I was actually angry, thinking he wasn't telling me the truth," Walid explained. "I thought of beating him up, but I remembered I should not take laws into my hands."
Medical examination at the hospital confirmed that Walid had indeed been exposed to a chemical substance, contradicting the initial claims made by the suspect.
Suspect's Version of Events
Fifteen-year-old Idris Hamza provided a different account of the incident, describing it as an accidental chemical spill during scientific experiments. According to Hamza, he and Abba were testing chemicals on flowers when Walid approached and urged them to attend mosque prayers.
"It was Abba and I who were testing chemicals on flowers when Walid came and told us to go to the mosque," Hamza stated. "Abba consented to follow Walid, but before he could reach Walid's place, he insulted me, which got me angry. He told me nothing should touch his shoe, because earlier on, the chemical poured on his shoes and nothing happened, so I decided to pour the chemical on his shoes."
Hamza claimed the chemical accidentally sprayed onto Walid's face instead of his shoes as intended. The suspect expressed remorse for the incident, describing it as an "honest mistake" rather than a deliberate attack.
"Unfortunately for me, the chemical poured on Walid's face," Hamza explained. "It wasn't a deliberate act, I am sorry, it was an honest mistake. I actually intended to pour it on Abba's shoes, because they were far away from me; I never thought it would pour on Walid's face."
Police Response and Safety Concerns
Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje Yahaya, has responded to the incident by urging parents and guardians to exercise greater vigilance over their children's activities. The police emphasized that both individuals involved in this case are minors who require proper supervision from their families.
"The command urges parents and guardians to always watch over their children to avoid issues like this," SP Yahaya stated. "In this case, both the victim and the suspect are minors, whose parents need to give proper attention to the whereabouts of their children frequently."
The police spokesperson further assured the public that law enforcement agencies remain committed to maintaining security within the state and preventing similar incidents from occurring. This chemical incident follows a pattern of unusual occurrences in Adamawa communities that have raised concerns about safety protocols and parental supervision.
Broader Context of Community Incidents
This chemical spraying incident represents one of several troubling events recently reported in Adamawa State. In a separate case that occurred in Demsa Local Government Area, a 12-year-old girl died after her father allegedly beat her severely following a dispute about ₦1,000 she found while selling vegetables.
According to reports, the girl had returned most of the money to its owner and spent a portion on food, but her father accused her of theft and became violent. The community expressed outrage following her death, and police have taken the father into custody while investigations continue.
These incidents collectively highlight growing concerns about child safety, parental responsibility, and community security within Adamawa State. As authorities investigate the chemical spraying case, questions remain about access to hazardous materials, appropriate supervision of minors, and conflict resolution mechanisms within local communities.
