The District Head of Molaikura community in Borno State, Alhaji Modu Umara, has absolved the military of alleged wrongdoing in the death of Abdulrahman Mustapha in the Polo area of Maiduguri.

Umara said reports indicated that Mustapha allegedly attempted to disarm soldiers while being escorted to an Army captain’s office for further investigation, during which the gun discharged.

Speaking in an interview on Saturday in Maiduguri, the district head explained that Mustapha had earlier arrived in the area seeking directions to Gambouru, which raised suspicion among residents.

“Abdulrahman Mustapha visited the area in search of a road leading to Gambouru before residents apprehended him and handed him over to the military due to suspicious behaviour,” Umara said.

He added that Mustapha drove into Molaikura community from the Mamanti area in a Toyota Vibe vehicle.

“I am not sure of his motives. When he arrived, he met a boy and asked for directions to Gambouru, but the boy said he did not know the place,” he said.

According to Umara, Mustapha allegedly tried to persuade the boy to enter his vehicle and help locate a nearby tarred road, but the boy declined.

The district head stated that Mustapha was eventually shot outside the community and died on the way to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for treatment.

It would be recalled that on March 24, 2026, Amnesty International raised concerns over what it described as the “unlawful killing” of Mustapha, which reportedly occurred on March 22 near the Federal High Court in Maiduguri.
The organisation called on authorities to ensure that any personnel found culpable are brought to justice through a prompt and fair trial.

However, the Nigerian Army, while confirming the incident, said preliminary findings suggest the situation may be more complex, with possible security implications.

The Media Information Officer of the Northeast Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, noted that initial assessments point to a possible encounter with individuals linked to insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.

“The assessment is based on several factors, including reports that the individual allegedly attempted to snatch a soldier’s rifle—an action indicative of hostile intent and a direct threat to troops’ safety,” Uba said.

He cautioned that the findings remain preliminary and subject to verification.
“These details should not be construed as definitive conclusions. Ongoing investigations will clarify the sequence of events, the actions of all parties involved, and any relevant operational context,” he added.