Boko Haram attacks two Gombe towns

Suspected Boko Haram gunmen yesterday stormed two towns in Gombe State, raiding banks and burning government buildings and political party offices, residents told French News Agency (AFP).

Scores of gunmen dressed in military uniform arrived in Bajoga, 60 kilometres from Gombe city in a convoy of 20 vehicles at about 7am.

Troops managed to push out the attackers and they then drove towards Ashaka, which is five kilometres away and close to the Yobe State boundary.

Both raids came after an attack on the Yobe State capital, Damaturu, on Monday, which left dead more than 150 people, including 38 policemen and six soldiers

Fighters in that raid are thought to have come from the Buni Yadi area in the southern part of Yobe, which Boko Haram has controlled for some time.

Although not as badly hit by Boko Haram violence as Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states, Gombe has seen a number of attacks, including a bus station bombing in October which killed at least eight.

Ashaka, which is home to a giant cement works owned by French group Lafarge, was hit on November 4, when fighters stole huge quantities of dynamite and several pick-up trucks from the plant.

The two attacks on Bajoga, Funakaye Local Government Area, and Ashaka fit a pattern of almost daily violence by the Islamists, who have taken over more than two dozen towns in the three worst-affected states in recent months.

Boko Haram has frequently raided banks for funds to buy weapons. Burning down police stations, government and political party buildings is a sign of their opposition to secular rule.

In Bajoga, residents said the militants shouted “Allahu Akbar” (God is greater) and fired indiscriminately before burning down a police station in a three-hour battle with troops.

“They raided two banks and set fire to offices of political parties. They also set sections of the local government secretariat on fire,” said resident Babani Ashiru

Another resident, Sani Dankani, said the sound of gunfire and explosions forced him to flee into the nearby bush.

“From where I’m standing, I can see billows of black smoke coming from different parts of the town,” he added.

Troop reinforcements were sent from Gombe and a military jet which bombed the militants forced them to withdraw, said local schoolteacher Sa’adu Balarabe.

Residents in Ashaka reported heavy fighting between troops and the gunmen in the town from about 11am.

“All we can hear are sounds of guns and explosions,” said Samaila Adnan.

“Heavy fighting is now going on between the gunmen and soldiers. A military jet is encircling the town,” added another local, Altine Badamasi.

Since the previous attack on the Lafarge works, more troops were deployed in the town to try to prevent further attacks, residents said.

The Bajoga Divisional Police Headquarters and banks were attacked and destroyed.

It said the security agents engaged them in a gun battle of about three hours before eventually repelling them.

Gombe State Police spokesman Fwaje Atajiri (DSP) said normalcy had been restored. “No cause for alarm.”

He advised residents to remain calm and go about their normal businesses, but told them to be vigilant and immediately report suspicious activities.