A vigilante official operating at Bola Ahmed Tinubu Estate, a housing facility currently under construction in the Karsana district of Abuja, has reportedly shot himself while lifting his rifle.

Abuja Metro learnt that the incident took place around 9 pm on Saturday after some robbers reportedly went to the site to steal iron rods.

Speaking yesterday to our reporter at the Kubwa General Hospital, where he was rushed, the victim, Rabiu Usman, said after they were able to chase the robbers away, he returned to his duty post at the estate but had forgotten to disengage the safety on his rifle, which he had earlier cocked during their encounter with the robbers.

"I lifted the gun and slung it over my shoulder, only for the rifle to start releasing its cartridges onto my leg, which was severely damaged from the shooting," he recounted.

A colleague of the victim, Kabiru Sani, who was attending to him at the hospital, said following primary treatment for the injuries, health officials at the hospital referred the victim to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital in Gwagwalada, where a special X-ray would be performed to ascertain the condition of the injury and the required treatment.

They were later seen leaving the hospital on a chartered commercial tricycle to the construction site, where the victim is said to be staying before moving to the next hospital. Police in the area said the incident had not been reported.