A policeman, identified as Inspector Yusuf Ibrahim has shot to death a soldier, Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Ali Haruna, who was on duty with the 33 Artillery Brigade in the Futuk area of Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State on Monday, 25th August, 2025.
According to reports from a security and counterinsurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, the truck with registration number Gombe 676 BLG was suspected by the soldiers of the 33 Artillery Brigade to be conveying solid minerals from an illegal mining site in Yalo Community of the Alkaleri LGA.
Report has it that when the military men stopped the truck and the driver refused while he sped off, the soldiers gave chase on their motorcycles.
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However, on halting the truck, a mobile police officer identified as Inspector Ibrahim allegedly disembarked and opened fire on the Guard Commander, Haruna, hitting him in the stomach.
According to Makama, “The soldiers immediately overpowered the policeman and disarmed him, while the injured officer was rushed to the Gombe Specialist Hospital for urgent medical treatment. He later died from the gunshot wound.”
Meanwhile, the truck driver sensing trouble escaped from the scene in the chaos that followed the shooting.
Preliminary findings revealed that 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 illegal escort duty for the truck.
Makama said, “The reasons behind the refusal of the vehicle to stop at the checkpoint, the decision of a trained police officer to open fire on soldiers after interception, and the escape of the driver remain highly suspicious. Investigations are ongoing to unravel the circumstances behind the incident.
The involvement of security personnel in illegal mining operations remained a disturbing trend, stressing that the incident spotlight the need for urgent and independent investigations to address compromises within the security system, according to Makama.
Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police has interfaced with the Commander, 33 Artillery Brigade, Brig.-Gen. U.J. Simon, to calm tensions and ensure proper handling of the case.
It was 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.
Source: Independent
