NIGERIA: HORROR AT NORTH-EASTERN CITY OF MAIDUGURI

Residents of the north-eastern city of Maiduguri told journalists that the army is carrying out shoot and kill tactics in the city without investigation.

This latest revelation comes a day after Amnesty International accused the Nigerian military of extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses in their campaign to curb the activities of Boko Haram against innocent civilians.

One imam told reporters that 11 people had been shot dead by the military in his area including his sons and when he went to the mortuary to collect their bodies, he saw several bodies that were also in the mortuary.

"In my street alone, about 11 youths were shot dead and no-one has given us an explanation about what they did’’ he was quoted as saying.

Many other people in the city also admitted being sent to an open place and screened while those who were picked were immediately gunned down at dawn by the military.

But a military spokesman Sagir Musa in the city told reporters that he was not aware of this alleged killings but did admitted an investigation will be launch to establish the veracity of the incidents.

The city of Maiduguri is the stronghold of Boko Haram, a radical Islamist group who are fighting to impose Sharia Law in northern Nigeria.

Hundreds of people have died through suicide bomb attack blamed on the group since they emerged in 2009 making the city a death trap to residents.

                                The Amnesty International Report

This came a day after Amnesty International released a report on the activities of Boko Haram, accusing the military of extrajudicial killings and human right abuses against civilians.

The report also mentioned Boko Haram of being guilty of atrocities and causing fear and panic in Nigeria.

The military command subsequently denied this report saying they are working within the provision of the law.

Amnesty therefore charged the government to protect citizens in a high level delegation meeting that was held between Amnesty International and the Nigerian Government.

It is unclear what Amnesty will say on this latest development since it has confirmed their earlier report they issued concerning the security situation in the city.