Unknown gunmen, dressed in military uniforms and carrying AK-47 assault rifles, arrived in a tricycle, got out and immediately attacked a point-of- sale (PoS) shop, taking all the money available – and, while escaping, they killed one youth and wounded another.

A witness, Ibrahim Ali, told RNI reporter Nana Hadiza Mustapha that the raid on the shop took place on Sunday, February 6, in Bulumkutu, Maiduguri, at about 8:30pm.

“We were sitting a little way from the PoS when a tricycle arrived carrying a woman and a little boy and two men in army uniform. The tricycle stopped at the PoS point and the woman and child got out and went inside. Then, suddenly, the men got out of the tricycle too and entered the shop. We heard gunshots. They had apparently threatened the salesman and he gave them all the money in his possession,” he said.

“When they came outside the shop a man shouted: ‘Thieves! Thieves!’ Others, who were sitting nearby the PoS, got up and started running which, I think, made the gunmen think they would be caught. They jumped back into the tricycle to escape. Some youths ran after the tricycle, but they could not keep up. The gunmen were shooting as the tricycle sped off. One youth was shot in the buttocks and wounded. Another was shot in chest and head. He died on the spot.”

Ali said the men were careful and no one saw their faces, so they could not be identified.

Just after the robbers left, troops and other security officers arrived on the scene.

Ali said: “The robbers were wearing army uniforms. It has happened a few times before. They dress in army uniforms, disguised as soldiers. When they do that it is impossible to identify who the criminals are and who the real troops are. The government has to urgently beef up security.”

Hamza Bololo, brother of the deceased, said: “Abubakar’s death was devastating. It was out in the open and people saw it but no one could do anything about it. The worst is that the perpetrators got away with it. I want justice for Abubakar.”

“I was just finished praying and was sitting in my home when I heard gunshots coming from outside my back window. I was terrified and very anxious, thinking it was the Boko Haram [Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS)]. I have never seen such a devastating scene – a human being killed in cold blood and so heartlessly. I do not want to stay in this house. I will sell it and leave because I’m traumatised by what happened,” said Hajiya Amina.