•As ameansofsurvival, thesesoldiersresortedto the rebels'strategyofterrorizingandlootingfrom thehaplesscivilians.•Rioterslootedstores and setfires.•Herefusedtolethis armyenterandlootthe city.•Sometimestheylootedthedead, sometimes theyhonouredthem.•Local people subsequently entered thesitein order ...