Tragedy struck in Maiduguri when a soldier in the Nigerian army’s operation Lafiya Dole in Borno state allegedly killed a nine-year-old boy in Shehuri area of the state capital.

An eyewitness said that the Soldier was shooting sporadically in celebration of one of his friends who had just obtained a form to contest for councillor in the coming council election in the state.

The nine-year-old identified as Abdu Tijjani was hit by a bullet and he died immediately, while two other children sustained injuries.

It was learnt that the two children who sustained injuries were taken to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) unit of the Borno state specialist hospital in Maiduguri for treatment.”

Residents of the community said immediately after the incident was reported, a team of military police arrived at the scene to arrest the soldier who already fled.

He was arrested later at his unit at Chabbal IDPs, along Muna general area.

Unfortunately, 11 days later, the residents alleged that the soldier was released by the military and posted back to his duty post even after his punishable act.

The residents said the soldier was known for reckless shootings in Shehuri environs and had been warned many times by Digima Zubairu, the village head of Shehuri north.

Residents accused the military of not conducting a transparent investigation into the incident, as the army team did not speak with locals to know what exactly happened.

The residents, however, called on Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno state, Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and relevant security agencies to ensure justice is served, saying that it was is a clear case of extrajudicial killing and injustice of the highest order, adding that the military is refusing to take full responsibility for prosecuting the killer when everyone knows that he killed an innocent child.

Sagir Musa, army’s spokesperson, was not immediately available to comment on the incident as at press time.