Firefighter Rebukes Mobile Brigade: Helmets Are for Protection, Not for Crushing Civilians' Heads

A member of the fire service has publicly criticised the police following the death of a teenager at the hands of a Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officer, in an incident that has gone viral on social media and drawn widespread public outrage.

Arianto Tawakkal, a 14-year-old student at a state Islamic secondary school (MTsN) in Tual City, Maluku, died after reportedly being struck on the head with a tactical helmet by a Brimob officer on 19 February 2026.

Firefighter Khairul Umam posted a pointed rebuke on his personal Instagram account, @xkhairulumam, stating: “I want to make something clear — this is called a helmet. Its purpose is to protect heads, not to destroy civilians’ heads.”

“They say during Ramadan the devils are locked away. So how come they’re still around?” he added bitterly.

The comments section of his post was flooded with users linking the remarks to the case of Arianto Tawakkal, who was allegedly killed by First Private MS, serving with Company 1, Battalion C Pioneer of the Maluku Regional Police’s Mobile Brigade Unit (Satbrimob Polda Maluku).

The fatal incident reportedly occurred after the pre-dawn meal (sahur) near RSUD Maren hospital in Tual City on Thursday, 19 February 2026.

The alleged assault began when Arianto and his older brother were riding past on a motorcycle. Arianto was reportedly struck on the head with a helmet, causing him to lose control and fall, sustaining a severe impact.

Several witnesses reported that the victim suffered bleeding from the nose and mouth before being rushed to RSUD Karel Sadsuitubun hospital. However, his life could not be saved, and he was pronounced dead on Friday, 20 February 2026.

Meanwhile, the victim’s older brother, Nasri Karim, suffered a broken right arm and remains in intensive care. He denied reports suggesting that he and his younger brother had been involved in illegal street racing, stating that the incident occurred suddenly and without any prior warning.

The police have confirmed that First Private MS has been detained for further legal proceedings.