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As Fintiri Visits Community
- Safiu Kehinde
No fewer than 29 people have been killed in a deadly attack at a football pitch by the Islamic State terrorists at Guyaku village in Adamawa State late on Sunday.
The gunmen reportedly stormed the village and opened fire on residents gathered at the football pitch before burning homes, places of worship and motorcycles.
According to witnesses, they arrived at the village during a football match at the community’s primary school at about 5:00 p.m.
The gunmen shot sporadically at the residents, killing 29 people on the spot as others scampered for safety.
IS would on Monday claimed responsibility of the attack via a statement on Telegram.
The terrorist group however did not specify the motive behind one of the deadliest single attacks in northeastern Nigeria in recent months.
While visiting the community on Monday, Adamawa governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, reportedly described the massacre as tragic, unacceptable and an affront to our humanity.
Fintiri lamented over the spate of attacks in the state as he noted that latest attack came shortly after a similar incident in Hong Local Government Area.
The governor however assured residents that the government and security agencies are on top of the situation and will ensure their protection.
He extended his condolences to the traditional ruler of the kingdom over the unfortunate incident.
“We will continue to do our best because they are our people, and we will stand by them and ensure that government collaborates with the military and other security agencies to ensure that they are well protected,” he said.
Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Gombi Chiefdom, His Royal Majesty Aggrey Bechour-Ali, revealed that they had earlier been advised by security agencies to suspend Sallah celebrations due to security alerts, which they complied with.
He however claimed that the terrorists’ informants must have been some of the village indigenes for them to have timed the attack during the football match.
“There are informants in our midst who may even be sons of the soil,” Bechour-Ali reportedly said.
Meanwhile, Fintiri took a guided tour of affected areas where motorcycles were set ablaze, a church building was burnt, and several people were killed or injured.