Youths On Rampage In Maiduguri Over Killing Of Civilian

The relative peace in Maiduguri was on Sunday shattered as youths took to the streets to protest the killing of a civilian at the West End area of the metropolis by a soldier.

The angry youths in their hundreds barricaded major roads in the area and also set bonfires.

Witnesses said that trouble started after a soldier stationed in a nearby military formation allegedly aim to shoot a tricycle operator popularly known as Keke NAPEP for allegedly violating traffic rule.

Our Correspondent gathered that the soldier missed the target and the bullet hit a road side trader (Maigoro) opposite the military formation.

The trader was said to have been hit on the chest and died instantly before help could come his way.

Witnesses said that the soldier was not remorseful and this angered the youths who had mobilized to the area on hearing the sound of the gunshot.

An eye witness who is also a road side trader, Mallam Mohammed Bukar told our correspondent that the angry youths chased away the soldier and his colleagues from the area.

'People were angered because after the shooting, the soldier did not show any sign of regret. The youths who came to the area started protesting the killing' he added.

The soldier was nearly lynched by the youths but for the quick intervention of his colleagues who sneaked him out of the area.

But he was said to have sustained some injuries on his head and eyes.

The incident created tension in the area and motorists plying the road were made to turn back to pass another routes as the road leading to Baga road , Post office and Custom area were closed for many hours by the youths who set bonfire.

Military men who were drafted with armored vehicles to the area turn back as some of the youths started throwing stones at them.

As at the time of filing this report, smoke bellowing from the bonfires could be noticed from afar.