Gunmen kill trader in Maiduguri

Maiduguri— Unidentified gunmen on yesterday killed another trader at the Monday market in Maiduguri.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the incident came barely a week after seven persons were shot dead at the same market.

Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, spokesman of the Joint Task Force, JTF, on Operation Restore Order, ORO, who confirmed the incident in a statement in Maiduguri, said it took place around 1245 hours.

He said: “One person was shot dead by unknown gunmen at the Monday market at about 1245 hours. The area where the incident happened has been cordoned off and searched.

“Foot patrol has been intensified to avoid stampede and troops assisted people to get out of the market, while efforts are on to get the culprits.”

He, however, added that the JTF had not made any arrest on the incident.

Meanwhile, a similar incident was witnessed at the Gamboru market where a trader was allegedly shot around 2 pm in a shop.

A trader, Malam Sani Umar, said the market was closed by the JTF shortly after the incident.

He said: “We spent about 30 minutes in the market as all gates were closed by the soldiers in search of the perpetrators.

“But we were allowed to leave after being searched.”