By Yau Waziri
Gombe
Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents yesterday invaded Nafada in Gombe state, killing a notable Islamic cleric, Sheikh Adamu Misira, and scores of his disciples.
Residents reported hearing sounds of gunfire between security agents and the insurgents for over four hours.
There was no official confirmation about the incident as at the time of filing this report as the phone number of the state commissioner of police was switched off.
It was said that the gunmen came in about 30 motorcycles and set the local government secretariat and the Police station on fire.
They reportedly told the panicked residents not to worry as they were only after security operatives.
Nafada is a border town between Gombe and Yobe states. It is about 150 kilometers from Gombe town, the capital of Gombe state.
According to an eyewitness, the gunmen attacked the Nafada Divisional Police Headquarters in the Nafada local government area of Gombe state.
It was reported that the police station was burnt down, while the armoury attached to it was looted.
According to a witness, the attackers did not face any resistance as the policemen ran for their lives.
The number of casualties was not clear and the official reaction of the local and the federal authorities was still awaited.
However, the Gombe state police command had already dispatched reinforcements to the town.
Meanwhile, reports indicated that the insurgents raided Ashaka town and seized the premises of Ashaka Cement Factory.
They were said to have taken explosives from the plant’s quarry and left with some of the company’s Hilus vans and supplies of gas.