A staff sergeant of the Nigerian Army, simply identified as Donatus has been shot dead by a yet-to-be-identified policeman in Maiduguri, Borno state.

According to reports, sources said the policeman was drunk when he shot at the soldier, who is attached to Operation Hadin Kai at the Shehu of Borno palace general area in Maiduguri.

The development was said to have caused pandemonium in the area, forcing residents to scamper for safety.

A twitter user, @Zagazola who confirmed the incident described the deceased as a celebrated army officer who saved the Shehu of Borno from suicide bomb attack in 2012.

“The MOPOL returned for Sintiri but he was looking very drug, initially the staff sergeant wanted to disarm him but later left him. Minutes later, he started shooting sporadically and accidentally shot the staff sergeant on the cheek, killing him instantly.

“Staff sergeant Donatus was a celebrated officer; In 2012 he saved the Shehu of Borno from suicide bomb attack. He forced himself to the bomber in the midst of people and pushed him away. The IED detonated and injured him on the leg. He was loved and cherished by the people,” he posted.

Recall that the Nigerian Army said that officers of the Nigeria Police Force were brutalising some of its personnel.

The Chief of Army Staff, in a letter dated November 23, 2021 to all formations and units called on military officers to “forward all recorded incidence of police brutality against personnel of the Nigerian Army.”