Firefighter Rebukes Mobile Brigade: Helmets Are for Protection, Not Killing

Police violence has claimed another life. This time, a student at MTsN (state Islamic junior secondary school) in Tual City, Maluku, named Arianto Tawakkal (14), died after being struck with a tactical helmet by a member of the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) on 19 February 2026.

The incident quickly went viral on social media, drawing widespread public attention.

On Instagram, a firefighter (Damkar) also weighed in on the case. He stated that the function of a helmet is to protect, not to take the lives of civilians.

“I want to tell you something — this is called a helmet. Its purpose is to protect the head, not to smash in the heads of citizens,” said the firefighter, Khairul Umam, via his personal Instagram account @xkhairulumam.

“They say during the fasting month, the devils are locked up. So how come there are still some around?” he added bitterly.

In the comments section of the post, numerous netizens linked the rebuke to the case involving the death of Arianto Tawakkal at the hands of First Class Private (Bripda) MS, who serves in Company 1, Battalion C Pelopor, Mobile Brigade Unit of Maluku Regional Police.

Arianto’s death reportedly occurred after the pre-dawn meal (sahur) near Maren Regional General Hospital in Tual City on Thursday, 19 February 2026.

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

Several witnesses said the victim experienced bleeding from his nose and mouth before being rushed to Karel Sadsuitubun Regional General 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 hand and remains in intensive care. He denied reports that he and his younger brother were involved in illegal street racing. According to him, the incident occurred suddenly without any prior warning.

To date, police have confirmed that Bripda MS has been taken into custody for further legal proceedings.