KEY POINTS

• A Nigerian soldier allegedly shot and killed a senior colleague during an altercation while both were on guard duty in Kano State.

• Military sources said the suspect had recently returned from fighting Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.

• The incident has renewed concerns over the mental health, welfare and psychological condition of troops returning from conflict zones.

A Nigerian soldier has allegedly shot dead a senior colleague identified as Sergeant Suleiman following a disagreement while both officers were on duty in Kano State.

The deceased officer was identified as Sergeant Suleiman, while the identity of the suspect, said to be a Private, has not yet been officially disclosed.

Sources within the military said the two soldiers were attached to the residence of a retired Army General in Kano where they were serving as security guards when the tragic incident occurred earlier this week. How the Shooting Happened

According to military insiders, an argument reportedly broke out between the two officers shortly before the shooting.

One source disclosed that after the disagreement, Sergeant Suleiman entered a restroom within the premises. However, as he stepped out, the Private allegedly opened fire on him multiple times.

The source added that CCTV footage from the residence reportedly captured the incident and exposed the suspect.

According to the account, the deceased was a Sergeant while the accused soldier was a Private from 21NA.

Another military source revealed that the suspect had only recently been redeployed from Maiduguri, Borno State, where he had been participating in operations against Boko Haram insurgents.

Concerns Over Troops’ Mental Health

Although the exact cause of the altercation remains unclear, the incident has once again sparked conversations about the mental and emotional condition of soldiers returning from active combat zones.

Security analysts and military observers have repeatedly raised concerns over whether Nigerian troops fighting insurgency and terrorism are receiving adequate psychological support, counselling and rehabilitation after prolonged exposure to violence.

Some serving soldiers have also previously complained about poor welfare conditions, extended deployments, and harsh treatment from military authorities.

There have also been allegations from within the ranks accusing some senior officials of corruption and mismanagement, with soldiers claiming it has negatively affected morale among troops involved in counter-terrorism operations.

The Kano incident adds to a growing list of violent episodes involving Nigerian military personnel in recent years.

In 2023, a soldier attached to Operation Desert Sanity allegedly shot and killed a colleague identified as Private Diko in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State following an argument.

Military sources at the time said both soldiers were members of 20NA and had originally been posted to Enugu before being redeployed to the Northeast to combat Boko Haram insurgents.

Also in 2023, another soldier identified as Lance Corporal Nwobodo Chinoso allegedly shot dead Lt. Sam Oladapo, the Commander of the Forward Operating Base in Rabah, Sokoto State.

The soldier also allegedly shot the camp’s Command Sergeant Major, Sgt. Iliyasu Inusa, and another private soldier before reportedly taking his own life.