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In response to widespread allegations of extrajudicial actions by troops, the Headquarters Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI has initiated an investigation into the controversial killing of a man named Abdulrahman Mustapha in Maiduguri.

The incident, said to have taken place on March 22 in the vicinity of the Polo axis and the Federal High Court, has caused a social media uproar.

It was claimed that Mustapha, who is also known as Abchin, was shot dead by military personnel while unarmed and returning from a Sallah visit.

Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East), issued a statement on Thursday in which he characterized the allegations as serious and confirmed that an investigation was ongoing to ascertain the circumstances of the incident.

The statement suggests that Mustapha may have tried to grab a soldier’s rifle, an action the military has labeled a direct threat to troops.

The military, however, pointed out that initial findings suggest the situation may be more complex than depicted.

Theatre Command indicates that preliminary operational indicators suggest potential security concerns, including suspicions that the deceased may have had connections to a Boko Haram or ISWAP reconnaissance group or sleeper cell.

“Initial findings indicate the possibility that troops may have encountered individuals consistent with a Boko Haram/ISWAP reconnaissance element or a sleeper cell operating within the area. This assessment is based on several factors, including reports that the individual in question allegedly attempted to snatch a soldier’s rifle, an action indicative of hostile intent and a direct threat to troops’ safety.

“Additionally, the individual was reportedly found in possession of multiple identification cards bearing different names from that cited in the petition, including a foreign identification card from the Niger Republic, which may suggest cross-border movement, possible infiltration, or the use of a decoy identity,” part of the statement read.

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