A mobile police officer has shot and killed a soldier in Futuk, Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State, following a confrontation over a truck suspected of ferrying minerals for a Chinese mining company.
The incident occurred on Monday evening shortly after the Magrib prayer. Witnesses told WikkiTimes that soldiers had ordered the truck, covered with a tarpaulin and reportedly transporting minerals from Yalo, a nearby mining site, to stop at a checkpoint. The truck allegedly failed to comply, prompting soldiers to pursue and eventually intercept it near a bridge close to a residential area.
A heated argument ensued between the soldiers’ commander and the mobile police officer (MOPOL) assigned to escort the truck. During the altercation, the policeman allegedly opened fire and shot a soldier in the back.
Residents said panic quickly spread in the community as shops and business activities were shut down in fear of further violence.
Military sources told WikkiTimes that the soldiers refrained from returning fire but arrested both the truck driver and the police officer suspected of pulling the trigger.
Initially evacuated to a hospital in Gombe for treatment, the wounded soldier later died from his injuries, according to Lieutenant Atang Hallet Solomon, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations.
“The mobile policeman has been disarmed and taken into custody at the Forward Operating Base in Futuk for onward transfer to Bauchi,” Mr Solomon confirmed. He added that discussions are ongoing between the Nigerian Police and Army authorities to ensure a proper investigation and prevent escalation.
Efforts to reach the Bauchi State Police Command for comments were unsuccessful as the spokesperson, Ahmad Wakil, did not return calls and messages sent to him at the time of filing this report.
