Boko Haram attack Gombe community; ...raid banks, burn buildings

Suspected Boko Haram gunmen on Thursday stormed two towns in northeast Nigeria, raiding banks and burning government buildings as well as political party offices.

Scores of gunmen dressed in military uniform arrived in Bajoga, 60 kilometres (37 miles) from Gombe city in a convoy of 20 vehicles at about 7:00 am (0600 GMT).

Troops managed to push the attackers out and they then drove towards the town of Ashaka five kilometres away near the border with Yobe state to the northeast.


UPDATE!

Gombe State Police Commissioner, Kudu Nma, has confirmed that outlawed violent group, Boko Haram, on Thursday attacked Bajoga town in Funakaye Local Government Area of Gombe State.

He said the gunmen, who reportedly arrived the town in six hilux vans, started shooting sporadically, causing pandemonium while the panic-stricken residents fled in different directions.

A resident of Bajoga, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said two fighter jets were hovering over the town, while ground troops had continued to engage the insurgents in a gun battle.

Some of the insurgents were said to have headed towards Ashaka, which houses Ashaka Cement Factory, a factory where truckloads of explosives were carted away by the insurgents about a month ago.

Bajoga is a border town with Gujba area of troubled Yobe State, an area that has been under Boko Haram’s control for over five months.