The Bauchi State Police Command has initiated an extensive murder inquiry following the distressing fatal shooting of a police officer by military personnel during a routine patrol in the Bayan Gari district of Bauchi city.
CSP Ahmed Wakil, the spokesperson for the Bauchi Police Command, confirmed the incident in a statement to the press on Saturday.
According to Wakil, the event unfolded when a patrol unit led by Inspector Hussaini Samaila witnessed an assault on one of their officers, Constable Ukasha Muhammed (service number F/No 533164), near Padimo Hotel.
Two assailants reportedly attacked the officer, prompting the patrol team to intervene swiftly. They managed to detain one suspect while the other escaped.
The detained individual was identified as Private Usman Mubarak (service number 23NA/84/5346), a soldier assigned to the Special Task Force (STF) Operation Safe Haven based in Jos, Plateau State.
Additional suspects apprehended at the scene included Private Yakubu Yahuza (service number 23NA/85/10185) and Private Godspower Gabriel (service number 23NA/84/5654). Both were partially clad in military attire and armed with rifles.
Wakil stated, “Suddenly and without provocation, they opened fire on the patrol team, fatally wounding Constable Ukasha Muhammed in the left chest before fleeing the location.”
The injured officer was immediately transported to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi, where medical staff later declared him deceased.
His body has been taken to the morgue, while the two soldiers suspected of the shooting, Private Yahuza and Private Gabriel, have been arrested and are currently held in police custody.
It is noteworthy that a similar incident occurred approximately two months ago when a soldier fatally shot a police officer attached to the Bauchi Command in Alkaleri.
