The Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of a citizen, Abdulrahman Mustapha, by troops from Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State and said an investigation is underway to uncover the facts surrounding the occurrence.
The incident apparently took place on March 22, 2026, in the Polo neighborhood near the Federal High Court in Maiduguri, the state capital.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, stated that the Theatre Command has launched a “comprehensive and impartial investigation” into the event.
He added that reports indicated the deceased allegedly attempted to snatch a soldier’s rifle, describing the act as a direct threat to troops’ safety.
The statement read, “The attention of the Headquarters Theatre Command, Operation HADIN KAI, has been drawn to posts circulating on social media alleging that on 22 March 2026, troops shot and killed one Abdulrahman Mustapha (also referred to as Abchin) at the Polo Axis near the Federal High Court, Maiduguri.
“The individual who was reportedly unarmed was returning from a Sallah visit. The posts characterize the incident as an extrajudicial killing, alleging violations of constitutional rights, lack of transparency, and improper handling of the deceased, while calling for an independent investigation, accountability, and compensation.
“The Theatre Command regards these allegations as very serious and has accordingly initiated appropriate processes to establish the facts.”
The Army spokeswoman further stated that the dead was found with various identification cards carrying different names, including one from the Niger Republic, as well as a bottle of Tussionex syrup and cannabis-like compounds.
He further stated that the victim was reportedly in the company of two unidentified ladies who fled the scene and that efforts were underway to locate them.
Uba, on the other hand, emphasized that the details were preliminary and subject to verification, assuring everyone that the investigation’s findings would be handled in accordance with military regulations and the law.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International has requested an impartial investigation into the incident.
In a statement, the organization condemned the killing as troubling, claiming that it represented a history of security forces disregarding human rights.
The organization said that the military brought the victim’s lifeless body and his vehicle to Maiduguri’s GRA Police Station.
“What happened to Abdulrahman is a sad reminder of the Nigerian military’s consistent utter disregard for the sanctity of human life and the rule of law.
“Such flagrant disregard for human rights undermines public trust and creates a toxic climate of impunity,” Amnesty International stated.
The organization called on the government to ensure accountability and justice for the victim.
“The authorities must stop turning a blind eye to such unlawful killings. They must live up to their constitutional and international human rights obligations by ensuring that all suspected soldiers involved are brought to justice in a prompt and fair trial,” the statement added.
