A tragic clash between security operatives has left a Nigerian Army officer dead after he was allegedly shot by a mobile police inspector while intercepting a truck suspected of conveying illegally mined solid minerals in Bauchi State.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening, August 25, at about 7:50 p.m. in Futuk, Alkaleri Local Government Area. Troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi, had stopped a truck with registration number Gombe 676 BLG at a checkpoint, but the driver reportedly refused to halt.
Determined to enforce compliance, Guard Commander Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Ali Haruna and his men pursued the truck on motorbikes and eventually intercepted it. Shockingly, instead of cooperating, a mobile police officer escorting the truck, identified as Inspector Yusuf Ibrahim, allegedly opened fire, hitting the Guard Commander in the stomach.
The soldiers overpowered and disarmed the inspector while rushing the wounded officer to Gombe Specialist Hospital, where he later died. The truck driver managed to flee in the ensuing chaos.
Preliminary investigations revealed the vehicle was transporting solid minerals suspected to have been illegally mined from Yalo community in Alkaleri LGA. The police inspector is believed to have been on an unauthorized escort duty for the truck.
Security sources described the shooting as highly suspicious, raising questions about why the truck refused to stop, why the inspector fired on fellow security personnel, and how the driver managed to escape.
The Bauchi State Commissioner of Police has since met with the Commander of the 33 Artillery Brigade, Brig.-Gen. U.J. Simon, in a bid to defuse tensions and assure that the matter will be thoroughly investigated.
Meanwhile, the remains of the late officer have been deposited at the hospital morgue, with burial arrangements underway in accordance with military tradition. The suspect, Inspector Ibrahim, remains in army custody, while the impounded truck is under investigation.
The disturbing incident has once again spotlighted the growing menace of illegal mining in Nigeria and the alleged involvement of rogue security operatives in protecting such activities.
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