M aiduguri, the Borno state capital yesterday, recorded another killing as some unidentified gunmen shot and killed a butcher in broad day light at the popular Baga road market while other Nigerians were marking the country’s 51st independence anniversary.?
Our correspondent who went round the Maiduguri metropolis yesterday reported that the state capital was devoid of the usual activities that mark the anniversary.
While the Ramat Square, where the independence parade usually held was under lock and key, the major streets were without the green- white- green national colours that used to adore them.
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Some residents of the metropolis told LEADERSHIP SUNDAY that they were not aware of ?the independence celebration.
Mohammed Fannami, a road side trader around the popular post office said “I am not aware about any celebration, as you can see am here selling my goods to make ends meet.
Another resident, Sunday Mbaya who said he was aware about the independence anniversary but noted that there was nothing to celebrate about.
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?“I do not think we have cause to celebrate in a country where the government cannot cater for the needs of the people after 51 years of independent. What is there to celebrate in a country where the government is battling with insecurity problem? It is even good that they did not waste tax payers money on this year celebration”, he said. ??
Meanwhile, some gunmen yesterday stormed the popular Baga road market in Maiduguri metropolis and shot dead a butcher.?
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The gunmen were said to have stormed the fish unit of the market around 10am and started shooting sporadically.
The whole market was deserted as panick-stricken traders and their customers fled the market for safety.
The gunmen were said to have fled the scene also, leaving their victims in a pools of blood.
Men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) were said to have arrived the scene after the incident.
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The commissioner of police in Borno State, Simeon Midenda who confirmed the incident to our reporter, said he could not say if it was an armed robbery incident.
According to him, some armed men entered the market and killed a butcher and injured his apprentice before they fled the scene.
CP Midenda added that the butcher was apparently the target of the armed men because they shot at him and not at anybody else when they stormed the market. ?