Police recover toy pistols from NGO training shooters at Maiduguri hotel

Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has directed the immediate suspension of ACTED, an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) following Saturday’s discovery that the humanitarian iNGO was using a hotel in Maiduguri for training some persons on shooting.

Zulum’s spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau, who announced the governor’s directive, said the French NGO was found using toy guns and simulators in training exercises at a hotel located off Circular Road in Maiduguri.

However, reacting, the NGOs Policy Advisor in Nigeria, Mrs Camilla Corradin, in an interview with our Vanguard said she is making efforts to get in touch with the ACTED authorities on the issue before going to press for details.

Gusau explained that residents near the hotel had reported to officials that they were hearing sounds of gunshots from the hotel, following which government officials reported the matter to GRA Divisional Police Headquarters which oversees the hotel’s location.

The police found three toy pistols at the hotel. Two trainers, both Nigerians, were taken to the police station with investigation going on.

The statement said pending the outcome of the police investigation, Governor Zulum had directed sealing of the hotel and suspension of ACTED from any humanitarian activity in Borno State. (Sunday Vanguard)