The Kebbi State Police Command has launched a manhunt for a man whose wife died after the accidental discharge of a locally made firearm in Bagudo Local Government Area.

The incident occurred in Geza Village, where 25 year old Sa’ima Sani was said to have suffered severe gunshot wounds from a locally fabricated Dane gun inside her home.

Police sources and security analysts familiar with the case said preliminary investigations revealed that Sa’ima’s husband, identified as Auwalu Hassan, allegedly asked her to bring the loaded weapon from a room in their residence.

As she attempted to carry the gun to him at the rear of the house, the firearm reportedly discharged unexpectedly. The blast struck her in the stomach and left hand, leaving her critically injured before neighbours and family members raised the alarm.

The incident was immediately reported to the police, prompting the Divisional Police Officer in Bagudo to deploy officers to the scene. Responding personnel recovered the weapon and documented the scene as part of an ongoing investigation.

Sa’ima was rushed to the General Hospital in Bagudo for emergency treatment. Despite efforts by medical personnel to stabilise her, she later died from the injuries sustained in the shooting.

Police authorities said the body was photographed and subjected to standard forensic and medico legal procedures before being released to her relatives for burial in accordance with local customs.

Following the tragedy, investigators discovered that the husband had reportedly left the area. His disappearance has intensified suspicion and prompted the police to declare him wanted for questioning over the circumstances that led to his wife’s death.

The command confirmed that a full scale investigation is underway to determine whether the shooting was purely accidental or the result of criminal negligence or other wrongdoing. Detectives are taking statements from neighbours and family members and examining how the firearm was obtained, stored and handled.

Police also used the incident to warn residents about the dangers of keeping locally made or unregistered firearms in homes. They urged the public to ensure that all weapons are properly secured, kept out of reach of untrained persons and handled only by qualified individuals to prevent similar tragedies.