A police sergeant, Ahmed Ali, was shot dead by a soldier in Benisheikh town, Borno State, after intercepting a soldier in a vehicle conveying Indian hemp. The incident happened at the town’s entry checkpoint on Monday around 10 am.
According to sources, the soldier driving an ash-colored Acura sport utility vehicle with registration number FKJ 761 AR beat a security checkpoint and refused to stop despite a warning from the police. Consequently, the police shot at his tyre to force him to stop, but in an attempt to drive the vehicle to Benisheikh police station, Sgt. Ali was shot dead by the soldiers.
The suspect, identified as Sgt. U. Joseph, who was carrying the Indian hemp, alongside his other colleagues, tried to stop the police from confiscating the vehicle, which led to the shooting. Sgt. Ali, who was reversing with the vehicle, was hit by a bullet and died.
The suspect is presently under the custody of the military, while the vehicle is parked at the Benisheikh police station. A source from the military confirmed that the shooting was a mistake as a soldier named Ibrahim Waberi fired at the vehicle in an attempt to stop it from being moved by the deceased.
The police and the Army are yet to issue a statement over the incident. The Borno State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) said he was on leave but directed the correspondent to his second in command, who promised to get back but was yet to do so at the time of filing this report.
The killing of the police officer by a soldier has raised concerns about the increasing cases of insecurity in the country. The incident underscores the need for the government to address the issue of arms proliferation among security personnel. Also, it highlights the urgent need for inter-agency collaboration and cooperation to address the insecurity challenges facing the country.