The Bauchi State Police Command has addressed reports surrounding the alleged shooting of a Nigerian Army soldier by a police officer at a mining company checkpoint in Futuk community, Alkaleri Local Government Area.
Police spokesman Ahmed Wakil briefed journalists on Friday, explaining that the Commissioner of Police, Sani Aliyu Omolori, urged the public to remain calm while a full investigation is conducted into the incident.
According to Wakil, preliminary reports circulating online misrepresented the facts. He said the incident, which reportedly involved a soldier attached to the 33 Artillery Brigade, occurred on August 25 at about 7:50 p.m. during a checkpoint operation on a truck transporting solid minerals. A blog had claimed that Master Warrant Officer Ali Haruna was fatally shot while attempting to intercept the truck, and that the police officer acted inappropriately.
Wakil stressed that these accounts were misleading and failed to accurately reflect what transpired. He noted that the truck in question was associated with Guruje Mining Company Limited and ZURFI Company Limited, both of which hold valid licenses for lead and zinc extraction from the Mining Cadastre Office, Federal Republic of Nigeria. The companies operate in compliance with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act of 2007 and possess certificates of incorporation under the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 2020.
He explained that mobile police officers, including Inspector Yusuf Ibrahim, were formally assigned to provide security for these companies, particularly for the protection of expatriate workers and other operational duties. The companies had successfully extracted minerals for export and paid the required fees to the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.
The spokesman said a dedicated team of experienced detectives, working in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Military Police, has been constituted to carry out a thorough investigation.
“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,” Wakil said.
He added that the command is committed to transparency and ensuring that the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate death of the soldier are fully clarified. The police appealed to the public to avoid spreading unverified information while the inquiry continues.
The Bauchi State Police Command’s statement comes amid growing attention on security operations around mining sites and the roles of both military and police personnel in managing such checkpoints.
