A hunter identified as Jibril has reportedly shot and killed a passenger, Jidda Muhammad, during a stop-and-search operation near Mafa Local Government Area in Borno State.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident happened around 1 p.m. on Saturday when an argument broke out between the hunter and the victim.
Details of the case emerged after a Facebook post by Abubakar Kingimi Ali, a relative of the deceased, who claimed that the hunter shot Muhammad for allegedly refusing to pay ₦1,000 at the checkpoint.
In his post, Ali wrote:
“With deep sorrow, I announce the tragic death of my dear friend, Alhaji Jidda Muhammad. He was killed near Mafa by a retired Boko Haram member while returning from Gomboru Ngala to Maiduguri. They demanded ₦1,000 from him, and when he refused, they shot him.”
Ali further alleged that such incidents reflect the dire security situation in Borno, where “former insurgents freely extort and kill innocent civilians without consequence.”
However, local security sources who spoke to PUNCH Metro on condition of anonymity confirmed that the killing occurred after a disagreement between both men.
One of the sources said:
“The incident took place on October 4 around 1 p.m. Jibril, a member of the local hunters’ association, was stationed at a checkpoint for routine inspection. He had a heated exchange with the passenger, which escalated and led to the shooting. He used a pump-action gun.”
When asked if money was the cause of the argument, the source denied it, saying,
“As far as I know, it wasn’t about money. It was simply a misunderstanding that got out of hand.”
Efforts to reach the Borno State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, for confirmation were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to his phone went unanswered as of press time.
