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.