We are investigating killing of soldier in Bauchi

By Rauf Oyewole

The Bauchi State Police Command has reacted over an incident of a soldier allegedly shot dead by a police officer attached to a mining company at a checkpoint in Futuk community, Alkaleri local government area of the state.

While briefing journalists on Friday, the Spokesman of the Command, Ahmed Wakil said that the Commissioner of Police, Sani Aliyu Omolori appealed to the public to be calm while a full investigation commenced.

Quoting the blog report, “a member of the Nigerian Army attached to 33 Artillery Brigade was fatally shot while attempting to intercept a truck suspected of transporting solid minerals from an illegal mining site in Futuk, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State by a mobile police Inspector on illegal duty.

“The incident occurred on August 25 at about 7:50 p.m. when personnel from the 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi, purportedly stopped a truck with the registration number Gombe 676-BLG at a checkpoint in Futuk village. The report further added that the truck driver refused to comply, prompting the Guard Commander, Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Ali Haruna, now deceased, to pursue the vehicle with his team on motorbikes until they managed to intercept it.

“Upon stopping the truck, Inspector Yusuf Ibrahim, a mobile police officer, exited his vehicle and opened fire on the Guard Commander, striking him in the abdomen. Subsequently, the soldiers at the scene overpowered the policeman and disarmed him. The injured officer was transported to the Gombe Specialist Hospital for urgent medical attention, but tragically succumbed to the gunshot wound.”

He said that the blogger had reported a “misleading, misrepresenting the facts of the incident, and failed to accurately portray what actually transpired.”

He said that the CP called for calm as inter-agency security forces initiated a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident which led to the death of the soldier.

Wakil explained that preliminary investigations revealed that the truck is associated with Guruje Mining Company Limited and ZURFI Company Limited, “which possess valid legal licenses in Gwana, Alkaleri LGA.

“This authorisation pertains to the extraction of lead and zinc minerals, which was obtained from the Mining Cadastre Office, Federal Republic of Nigeria, effective 12th May 2023. These companies have complied with all mining operational protocols of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act of 2007 and possess a certificate of incorporation pursuant to the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 2020.

“The mobile police officers attached to these companies were formally requested and approved to provide security for the safety of expatriate workers and fulfil other security responsibilities associated with the company. Inspector Yusuf Ibrahim was among those assigned to this duty.

“The company successfully extracted a substantial quantity of lead and zinc minerals, which were proposed for export, and relevant fees as revenue paid to the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, referenced by RRR code 3212-7561-4841,” he explained.

He said that the command has constituted a dedicated investigation team of experienced detectives in collaboration with the Nigerian Army military police (MP), which has been tasked with collecting and assessing all relevant information surrounding this unfortunate incident's remote and immediate causes.

“These investigators will adhere to all professional standards and diligent processes to establish a reliable, evidence-based investigation, dispel uncertainties, and guarantee that justice is achieved by meticulously examining all the facts.”