Boko Haram launches fierce attack on Nigerian city, warns against voting

Heavily armed Boko Haram militants attacked the northeastern Nigerian city of Gombe on Saturday but were later repelled, a government security source said. The militants warned residents against voting in next month’s elections as the Islamists defied regional force aiming to pursue them. Residents said the attackers later left the city and stormed another area some 40 kilometres away, where they burned homes. The violence prompted the state governor to impose an around-the-clock curfew. Witnesses said the extremists advanced without any resistance from the security forces. It was unclear if there were casualties.

I evacuated my house along with my family before they arrived in the city and I’m happy that I did because from information I’m receiving they have taken over the military barracks.

Witness Kabiru Na-Gwandu

The Boko Haram leaflets read: “Whoever professes Islam should distance himself from polling stations because we are going to attack polling booths.” Residents said the gunmen in military uniforms who invaded the city in around 30 vans and on several motorcycles later withdrew from the city unchallenged. Resident Bello Jatau said fleeing residents of Dadin-Kowa were taking refuge on hilltops from where they could see Boko Haram gunmen burning their homes.

Africa Boko Haram