A serving Master Warrant Officer (MWO) with the Nigerian Army, has been reportedly shot dead by a Mobile Police Inspector following the interception of the truck he was believed to be illegally escorting it from a mining site in Futuk, Alkaleri Local Government of Bauchi State.
The truck was believed to be conveying some mined solid minerals allegedly from an illegal mining site and was been escorted by the armed police Inspector.
A security expert, Mr Zagazola Makama reported that the incident occurred on Monday, August 25, 2025 at about 7:50 p.m. when troops of 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi, stopped a truck with registration number GM 676 BLG at a checkpoint in Futuk village.
However, it was gathered that the truck driver refused to stopped as ordered by the soldiers at the checkpoint, a development that led the Guard Commander, Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Ali Haruna, to pursue the vehicle with his some of his men on motorbikes until they intercepted it.
But, on halting the truck, a Mobile Police officer alleged to have been on illegal escort duty for the truck and identified as Inspector Yusuf Ibrahim reportedly immediately disembarked and opened fire on the Guard Commander, MWO Haruna, hitting him in the stomach.
The soldiers however overpowered the Police Inspector and disarmed him, while the injured officer was rushed to the Gombe Specialist Hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Unfortunately, MWO Ali Haruna later died from the gunshot wound he sustained.
It was also gathered that the truck driver managed to escape from the scene in the chaos that followed the shooting.
Forefront News gathered that preliminary findings have so far revealed that the truck was conveying solid minerals suspected to have been extracted illegally from Yalo community in Alkaleri Local Government Area.
A security source 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”.
Checks indicated that the involvement of security personnel in illegal mining activities remained a serious disturbing trend, thus the need for urgent and independent investigations to critically address compromises within the security system.
In the meantime, the Commissioner of Police for the Bauchi State Police command, has interfaced with the Commander, 33 Artillery Brigade, Brig.-Gen. U.J. Simon, to calm tension to allow for the proper handling of the matter.
Zagazola also reported 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 the Nigerian Army custody, while the intercepted truck has been impounded for further investigation.
