Police officer arrested after allegedly killing soldier over mining truck
Story by Susan Mbamah
A police officer in Bauchi State has been arrested after allegedly shooting a soldier dead during a confrontation over a truck believed to be carrying illegally mined minerals. The incident occurred on Monday evening in Futuk, Alkaleri Local Government Area.
According to Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Atang Hallet Solomon, the police officer is now in custody, and the Nigerian Army and Police have launched a joint investigation.
Eyewitnesses said the conflict began when soldiers from the 33 Artillery Brigade ordered a truck to stop at a checkpoint. The vehicle, with registration number Gombe 676 BLG, was allegedly carrying minerals from the Yalo mining site for a Chinese company. When the driver refused to stop, the soldiers chased the truck and intercepted it.
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A heated argument then broke out between a soldier and a Mobile Police (MOPOL) officer who was escorting the truck. A local source stated, “A scuffle then broke out… During the altercation, the policeman allegedly raised his rifle and shot the army officer in the back.”
The wounded soldier was rushed to a hospital in Gombe but later died from his injuries. His body has been moved to the hospital morgue, with burial arrangements underway.
Following the shooting, Futuk residents were gripped by panic, and businesses were quickly shut down in fear of violence between the two security forces. The truck driver reportedly fled during the chaos.
A community leader in Alkaleri praised the soldiers for their restraint, noting that they disarmed and arrested the policeman and the driver instead of retaliating, before transferring them to Bauchi for further investigation.
Local hunters and vigilantes have raised suspicions, alleging the minerals were illegally extracted and that the police officer may have been unlawfully escorting the truck.
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The Bauchi State Commissioner of Police has reportedly met with the Commander of the 33 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier-General U.J. Simon, to ease tensions and ensure a transparent probe.
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