Army Probes Alleged Civilian Killing in Maiduguri, Raises Security Concerns

Army Probes Alleged Civilian Killing in Maiduguri, Raises Security Concerns

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

The Headquarters Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai has opened an investigation into the alleged killing of a civilian, Abdulrahman Mustapha, in Maiduguri, Borno State, following accusations of extrajudicial action by troops.

The incident, which has sparked public concern, was said to have happened on March 22 at about 11:40 p.m. around the Polo area near the Federal High Court in Maiduguri.

In a statement issued on March 25, the spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, said the military authorities had already begun what he described as “appropriate processes” to uncover what truly transpired.

The military was reacting to claims circulated on social media alleging that the deceased, popularly known as Abchin, was unarmed and was on his way back from a Sallah visit when he was shot dead by troops.

The online reports described the development as a violation of the victim’s constitutional rights and demanded an independent probe and punishment for anyone found culpable, as well as compensation for the family.

Responding to the outrage, the military said it was treating the matter with the seriousness it deserves, while cautioning that initial findings indicate the circumstances may be more complex than initially portrayed.

According to the statement, preliminary intelligence suggested that the deceased and others with him may have been linked to suspicious movements believed to be connected to a Boko Haram or ISWAP reconnaissance network or a possible sleeper cell operating within Maiduguri.

The military further claimed that early reports indicated the deceased allegedly attempted to seize a rifle from a soldier during the encounter, an action it said would have posed an immediate threat to troops on duty.

It also stated that several items recovered from him had raised additional concerns. These reportedly included multiple identification cards bearing different names, among them a foreign identity card linked to the Niger Republic.

The statement added that a bottle of Tutolin syrup and some wraps of a substance suspected to be cannabis were also allegedly found in his possession.

Operation Hadin Kai also disclosed that the deceased was reportedly in the company of two unidentified women at the time of the incident but said the women fled the scene before they could be questioned.

The military said the fleeing women may hold vital information that could assist investigators and ongoing security operations in the state.

It also cited eyewitness accounts suggesting that the deceased had behaved in a suspicious manner before the shooting, a development that allegedly prompted a distress alert to the nearest military formation.

However, the command stressed that all the information so far remains preliminary and should not be treated as a final account of events.

It said the ongoing investigation would establish the exact sequence of what happened, determine whether the conduct of the troops aligned with operational procedures and rules of engagement, and clarify the role of every person involved.

The Army maintained that it remains committed to professionalism, accountability, and the protection of human rights, assuring the public that the outcome of the investigation would be handled in line with due process.