Hundreds of youths took to the streets in Mubi, the commercial hub in Adamawa State, Northeast Nigeria, expressing their displeasure and grievances following the shooting of a businessman, Sulaiman Alhaji Abubakar, by military personnel on the night of Sunday, 2nd August, 2026.
The victim was said to have violated the time allowed for an electric bicycle bearing the brand name ‘Salti’ to ply the area’s roads, despite an existing order restricting the movement of electric motorcycles from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am daily.
Mubi has been under curfew for more than ten years due to the activities of Boko Haram terrorists that once overran the town, but were later reclaimed by security agencies.
According to an eyewitness, Mallam Aliyu Muhammad, a member of the Vigilante group, a quasi-security outfit, the victim was riding an electric motorcycle when he noticed soldiers on patrol and reversed, heading back home a few minutes before the restriction time took effect, from 9pm to 6am.
“After Abubakar parked his motorcycle and attempted to lock the gate to his residence, a soldier who had pursued him opened fire at close range and the bullet grazed his shoulder before hitting his lower jaw, leaving him with severe injuries.
“Neighbours rushed out after hearing the gunshot and apprehended the soldier. He was, however, released following the intervention of his superior,” the eyewitness said.
The protesters, mainly youths, took their protest to the palace of the paramount ruler, HRH Alhaji Abubakar Isa Ahmadu, calling for a thorough investigation into the matter and alleging that some military personnel in the area are overzealous in the conduct of their duties.
Addressing the protesters at his palace, the Emir of Mubi, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abubakar Isa Ahmadu called for calm and restraint among the youth and members of the community.
The Emir, represented by one of the Emirate’s Council members, Alhaji Adamu Barkindo (ADAS), emphasized the importance of allowing the appropriate authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances of the incident.
The Emir appealed to community members to avoid taking the law into their hands or spreading unverified information that could heighten tensions.
HRH Ahmadu urged residents to cooperate with security agencies and support all lawful efforts to ensure justice is served.
He conveyed the Emir’s deep concern over the unfortunate event, extended sympathy to the victim’s family, and assured the public that the Emirate Council remains committed to promoting justice, peace, and stability across the Mubi Emirate.
“The Mubi Emirate Council reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with government authorities, security agencies, community leaders, and youth groups to maintain peace, protect lives and property, and strengthen unity within the Emirate,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Adamawa State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The Command’s spokesman, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, in a statement, said that the investigation followed a complaint by Mr. Muslim Abubakar of Yelwa Ward, Mubi North LGA, over the incident.
“Upon receipt of the report, Police operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer, Mubi North Division, immediately visited the scene and ensured that the victim received prompt medical attention.
“He was initially taken to a medical facility in Mubi and was subsequently referred to a higher medical facility in Yola for further treatment,” the statement said.
The Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State Command, CP Kabiru Umar Hassan, has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to conduct a thorough, discreet, and impartial investigation into the circumstances of the incident.
According to the statement, the Command has also established contact with the relevant military authorities to ensure necessary cooperation during the investigation.
The State Police Command, while appealing for calm, assures members of the public that the investigation will be conducted professionally and transparently.
It is therefore appealing to anyone with useful information that may assist the investigation to come forward to the nearest police station or contact the Police Public Relations Office.
The military authorities are yet to comment on the issue.
The victim is said to be in a stable condition after undergoing surgery at the Modibbo University Adama Teaching Hospital, Yola.
Veteran journalist and recipient of A.B.C Yola, Reporter of the Year Award (1997), Hassan Umar Shallpella, works with WAP as a Regional Correspondence. He was trained at Institute of Mass Communication and Technology Jos and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Training School Lagos.He was a News desk Editor and a Correspondent at the Punch newspaper and till 2019, was the Deputy Editor ofThe Scope newspaper.
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