GUNMEN Kill 29 In Adamawa Communities, Fintiri Visits Affected Areas as suspected Boko Haram insurgents launched a deadly assault on communities in Gombi Local Government Area, leaving at least 29 people dead and several others injured in what residents described as a coordinated and devastating attack.
News Point Nigeria reports that the attackers reportedly struck Sabon-Gari village in Guyaku District and nearby areas, including Telabala, on Sunday evening around 5:00 p.m., when many residents had gathered to watch a local football competition at a primary school.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the assailants stormed the communities on motorcycles, shooting sporadically and causing panic as players and spectators fled in different directions amid confusion and fear.
A resident, Nimfas Bala, said the attackers split into two groups and surrounded the community, opening fire on residents at sight.
“I personally counted 29 bodies, while many others are still missing,” Bala said, adding that the attackers operated with alarming coordination.
He disclosed that a church was set ablaze during the attack, with musical instruments and plastic chairs destroyed, while no fewer than 42 motorcycles belonging to players and spectators were burnt at the football field.
Several provision shops were also looted, with food items and other valuables carted away, as the attackers later retreated towards the Sambisa forest axis with the stolen goods.
Another resident, Musa Guyaku, recounted how the violence erupted during a football match between two communities.
“Yesterday evening, youths organised a football match between two communities, Zangula and another village. Suddenly, gunmen invaded our community and were shooting sporadically, killing two persons sitting in a hut and burning down the hut,” he said, though he could not confirm the total number of casualties.
The attack, which also saw religious buildings set ablaze, triggered emotional scenes as residents openly wept over the loss of loved ones, while others hurriedly evacuated their belongings to flee the affected communities.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who cut short his official engagements, visited the affected areas on Monday to assess the situation firsthand.
During the visit, the governor confirmed the death toll of about 29 persons, describing the incident as tragic, heartbreaking, and unacceptable, especially coming barely a week after a similar attack in Mayo Ladde in Hong Local Government Area.
He said his visit was aimed at assessing the impact of the attack by what he described as criminal elements of Boko Haram, as well as calming the victims and reassuring them of government support.
“We will continue to do our best because they are our people, and we will stand by them and ensure that government collaborates with the military and other security agencies to ensure that they are well protected,” Fintiri stated.
The governor also extended condolences to the bereaved families and commiserated with the traditional ruler of the area over the unfortunate incident.
The traditional ruler of the Gombi Chiefdom, His Royal Majesty Aggrey Bechour-Ali, revealed that the attackers operated for hours, killing residents and destroying property.
He noted that security agencies had earlier advised the community to suspend Sallah celebrations due to security alerts, a directive they complied with, but lamented that the attackers exploited the gathering at the football match to carry out the assault.
“There are informants in our midst who may even be sons of the soil,” the monarch said, calling for increased security presence in the area.
During his tour, Governor Fintiri inspected affected locations, including areas where motorcycles were burnt, a church building destroyed, and several residents killed or injured.
The governor, visibly concerned, assured residents that additional security measures would be implemented to prevent a recurrence, reaffirming the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.