A soldier of the Nigerian Army has been shot dead by a police inspector while intercepting a truck allegedly conveying solid minerals from an illegal mining site in Futuk, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The incident occurred on Aug. 25 at about 7:50 p.m. when troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade stopped a truck with registration number Gombe 676 BLG at a checkpoint in Futuk.
According to security sources, the driver of the truck refused to halt, forcing the Guard Commander, Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Ali Haruna, to pursue the vehicle with his men on motorbikes until it was intercepted.
On stopping the truck, a mobile police officer identified as Inspector Yusuf Ibrahim allegedly disembarked and opened fire on the Guard Commander, hitting him in the stomach.
The soldiers immediately disarmed the policeman and rushed the injured officer to the Gombe Specialist Hospital, where he later died from the gunshot wound.
It was further gathered that the truck driver escaped from the scene during the confusion.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the truck was loaded with solid minerals suspected to have been extracted illegally from Yalo community, Alkaleri LGA. The police inspector was alleged to have been providing illegal escort services for the truck.
Sources described the circumstances surrounding the refusal of the vehicle to stop, the conduct of the police officer, and the escape of the driver as “highly suspicious,” stressing the need for an independent investigation into the matter.
They added that the involvement of some security personnel in illegal mining activities remained a disturbing trend requiring urgent intervention.
Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police has met with the Commander of the 33 Artillery Brigade, Brig.-Gen. U.J. Simon, to calm tensions and ensure proper handling of the case.
Insight Northeast also learnt that the remains of the slain officer have been deposited at the hospital morgue while arrangements are ongoing for his burial in line with military tradition.
The suspect, Inspector Ibrahim, is currently in army custody, while the intercepted truck has been impounded for further investigation.
