A soldier of the Nigerian Army has been shot dead by a mobile police inspector during an operation to intercept a truck allegedly conveying illegally mined solid minerals in Futuk, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The incident occurred on Monday, August 25, at about 7:50 p.m. when troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi, stopped a truck with registration number Gombe 676 BLG at a checkpoint in Futuk village.
Reports indicate that the truck driver refused to halt at the checkpoint, prompting the Guard Commander, Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Ali Haruna, to pursue the vehicle with his men on motorbikes until they intercepted it.
Upon halting the truck, a mobile police officer identified as Inspector Yusuf Ibrahim allegedly disembarked and opened fire on the Guard Commander, striking him in the stomach.
The soldiers quickly overpowered the inspector and disarmed him, while the injured officer was rushed to the Gombe Specialist Hospital. He, however, later died from the gunshot wound.
Sources disclosed that the truck driver escaped during the chaos that followed the shooting, while preliminary findings revealed the truck was conveying solid minerals suspected to have been extracted illegally from Yalo community, also in Alkaleri LGA. The police inspector was believed to have been on an illegal escort duty for the vehicle.
“The reasons behind the refusal of the truck to stop at the checkpoint, the decision of a trained police officer to open fire on soldiers, and the escape of the driver remain highly suspicious. Investigations are ongoing to unravel the circumstances behind the incident,” a source said.
Security sources expressed concern over the involvement of personnel in illegal mining activities, stressing the need for urgent and independent investigations to address compromises within the system.
Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police has met with the Commander of 33 Artillery Brigade, Brig.-Gen. U.J. Simon, to calm tensions and ensure proper handling of the case.
The remains of the slain officer have been deposited at the hospital morgue, while arrangements are being made for his burial in line with military tradition. The suspect, Inspector Ibrahim, is currently in army custody, and the intercepted truck has been impounded for further investigation.
