A treasurer of Kala-Balge Local Government Area in the central part of Borno State was reportedly killed by stray bullets when policemen attached to former governor, Ali Modu Sheriff shot into the air to disperse political thugs who lay siege at the residence of Ex-Governor on Monday in Maiduguri.
The former governor who returned to the state under heavy security on Monday about a Dornier 328 aircraft associated with Shell Petroleum was in the state to prepare for a rally that would see him return to the ruling party, People Democratic Party (PDP). Mr. Sheriff, a close associate of Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan, had the Maiduguri airport reopened for him to return to the state.
The Ex-Governor whose associates reorganized members of a group of youth known as “ ECOMOG” became uncomfortable when youths started massing around his residence in protest against his presence in the state.
The former governor then sought the help of police to disperse them. The police fired severally warning shots in the air to scare away the thugs, one of the bullets reportedly strayed and killed the council official who was near Sheriff's house located around Giwa army barracks at the G.R.A in Maiduguri.
Meanwhile, state officials said they were shocked that while the airport remain shut against Muslims billed to attend the hajj in Mecca since June 27th, 2014, the President approved the airport to be reopened specifically for the former governor.
The closure of the airport led to the death of a policeman attached to the state Governor’s brother, Shettima Mohammed Shettima, as he traveled to Kano by road to join a flight to Mecca. The Governor’s brother also suffered several fractures; as a result, of the accident. The Governor, Kashim Shettima was not allowed to use the airport to travel to visit his brother at the hospital according to state officials.
Former Governor Alli Modu Sheriff is known as one of the creators of deadly Islamist sect, Boko Haram during his tenure as governor of the state. the sect later turned against him killing his younger brother who he anointed to become governor of the state.