A police officer has been arrested following the fatal shooting of a soldier in Futuk, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 33 Artillery Brigade, Atang Hallet Solomon, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday.
According to him, the officer alleged to have fired the shot is now in custody, while a joint investigation between the Nigerian Army and the Police has commenced. He added that both agencies are engaging in discussions to ensure a transparent investigation and to prevent any escalation of the matter.
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Local hunters and vigilantes in the area told reporters that the incident stemmed from a disagreement between security personnel over a truck reportedly linked to a Chinese mining company.
They explained that the truck, which was loaded with minerals from the Yalo mining site, was stopped by soldiers on Monday evening shortly after Maghrib prayers. The vehicle, bearing registration number Gombe 676 BLG, allegedly ignored the soldiers’ order to halt at a checkpoint in Futuk, prompting troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade to pursue and intercept it near a bridge.
“A scuffle then broke out between the commanding officer of the soldiers and the MOPOL officer escorting the truck. During the altercation, the policeman allegedly raised his rifle and shot the army officer in the back,” a witness, who requested anonymity, said.
The shooting caused panic in the community, forcing traders and shopkeepers to hurriedly close their businesses amid fears of violence. In the confusion, the truck driver reportedly fled the scene.
Senior officials of Alkaleri Local Government praised the soldiers for maintaining discipline and avoiding retaliation. They explained that the soldiers instead arrested the driver and the police officer, disarmed the latter, and transferred both to Bauchi for further investigation.
The injured soldier was rushed to a hospital in Gombe, but he later died from his wounds. His body has been deposited at the hospital mortuary, while burial arrangements are being conducted in line with military tradition.
Reports indicate that the police officer remains in custody, while the seized truck has been impounded.
Attempts to obtain a response from the Bauchi State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mohammed Ahmed Wakil, did not answer calls or messages at the time of filing this report.
Local hunters alleged that the truck was transporting solid minerals suspected to have been illegally mined from Yalo community, and that the police inspector may have been involved in an unlawful escort operation.
They further noted that the refusal of the truck to stop at the checkpoint, the policeman’s decision to shoot a soldier, and the driver’s sudden escape all raised serious questions, which they said only a thorough investigation could address.
Alkaleri Local Government officials also raised concerns about the growing involvement of security operatives in illegal mining activities, describing it as a troubling trend that requires urgent attention from higher authorities to prevent compromise in the security sector.
Meanwhile, according to Daily Trust, the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police has met with the Commander of the 33 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General U.J. Simon, to de-escalate tensions and ensure the case is handled in line with due process.
