KANO, NIGERIA — A heated dispute between two military personnel has ended in tragedy after a Nigerian Army Private shot and killed his superior officer, Sergeant Suleiman, at a private residence in Kano State.
The two soldiers were deployed as security guards at the home of a retired Army General when the fatal encounter took place.
Confrontation and CCTV Proof
Military sources revealed that the incident began with a verbal altercation between the two men. Following the argument, Sergeant Suleiman walked away and went into a restroom.
When the Sergeant stepped out, the suspect—a Private from the 21NA intake—opened fire, shooting the senior officer three times. Sergeant Suleiman died instantly at the scene.
While the Private initially claimed innocence, military investigators reviewed the residence’s CCTV footage, which captured the entire shooting and identified him as the gunman.
PTSD and Frontline Rotations
Investigations show that the suspect was recently transferred to Kano from the frontlines of Borno State, where he had been fighting Boko Haram insurgents.
The shooting has sparked intense discussion within security circles about the lack of psychological support for returning troops. Experts warn that sending battle-weary soldiers straight into civilian guard duties without mental health checks or trauma counseling leads to dangerous outbursts of violence.
Military Custody
The Private was immediately disarmed and arrested by military police. He remains in custody pending the outcome of a full-scale investigation ordered by the Nigerian Army.
Sergeant Suleiman’s remains have been deposited at a military morgue.
