Nigerian Defence Academy Breaks Silence After Soldier was Gunned Down by Police Officer

Nigerian Defence Academy Breaks Silence After Soldier was Gunned Down by Police Officer

  • Master Warrant Officer Ali Haruna has been laid to rest following a fatal shooting involving a police inspector, the Nigerian Defence Academy confirmed
  • The incident has sparked widespread concern over inter-agency relations between Nigeria’s military and police forces
  • Tributes have poured in for the fallen officer, as the nation mourns a respected figure within its armed forces

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) confirmed on Monday, 8 September 2025, that Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Ali Haruna, who was fatally shot by a police inspector, has been laid to rest.

In a brief statement posted on the Academy’s official Facebook page, the NDA wrote:

Master Warrant Officer Ali Haruna was laid to rest after being fatally shot by a police inspector, the Nigerian Defence Academy confirmed.
The Nigerian Defence Academy mourns MWO Ali Haruna, whose tragic death has raised concerns over police-military relations in Nigeria. Photo credit: NDA/Facebook
Source: Facebook

“Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Ali Haruna, who was gunned down by a police inspector, has finally been laid to rest.”

Nigerian Defence Academy mourns fallen officer

The post marked a solemn moment for Nigeria’s military community, as colleagues and citizens alike expressed grief over the loss of the seasoned officer.

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While details surrounding the incident remain limited, the Academy’s announcement confirmed that Haruna’s burial has taken place, bringing closure to a tragedy that has sparked concern across defence and law enforcement circles.

The NDA did not disclose the location of the burial or further information about the circumstances of the shooting.

However, the use of the phrase “gunned down” in its statement suggests a violent confrontation that has yet to be publicly clarified by police authorities.

Police shooting of military officer raises questions

The involvement of a police inspector in the fatal shooting of a military officer has raised questions about inter-agency conduct and accountability.

As of Monday afternoon, no official comment had been released by the Nigeria Police Force regarding the identity of the inspector or the events leading to the shooting.

MWO Ali Haruna’s burial marks a sombre moment for Nigeria’s armed forces following the fatal shooting by a police inspector.
MWO Ali Haruna’s burial marks a sombre moment for Nigeria’s armed forces following the fatal shooting by a police inspector. Photo credit: Nigerians Army/X
Source: Getty Images

Tributes pour in for MWO Ali Haruna

Though the NDA’s statement was brief, it has prompted an outpouring of condolences from members of the public and military personnel. Many took to social media to honour Haruna’s service and express outrage over the circumstances of his death.

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The Nigerian Defence Academy, located in Kaduna, serves as the premier training institution for officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The loss of a Master Warrant Officer, a senior non-commissioned rank, represents a significant blow to the institution’s ranks.

Police officer arrested over the death of soldier

Legit.ng earlier reported that a police officer has been arrested following the fatal shooting of a soldier in Futuk, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, an incident that has sparked concern over inter-agency conflict and alleged illegal mining activities.

The acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 33 Artillery Brigade, Atang Hallet Solomon, confirmed the arrest to reporters, stating that the officer accused of shooting the soldier has been taken into custody.

He added that the matter is under joint investigation by the Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Army. Solomon said discussions between the two security agencies were ongoing to ensure a comprehensive inquiry and to prevent further escalation of tensions.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Basit Jamiu avatar

Basit Jamiu (Current Affairs and Politics Editor) Basit Jamiu is a journalist with more than five years of experience. He is a current affairs and politics editor at Legit.ng. He holds a bachelor's degree from Ekiti State University (2018). Basit previously worked as a staff writer at Ikeja Bird (2022), Associate Editor at Prime Progress (2022), and Staff Writer at The Movee (2018). He is a 2024 Open Climate Fellow (West Africa), 2023 MTN Media Fellow, OCRP Fellow at ICIR, and Accountability Fellow at CJID. Email: basit.jamiu@corp.legit.ng.