Gunmen Attack Geidam, Yobe Gov’s Village, Kill 4

The wave of attacks and violence in several North-eastern towns in Nigeria continued over the weekend with the attack on Geidam, the home town of Governor Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State.

Witnesses and authorities said at least four people died in an apparent attack that saw churches and businesses burnt down. The attack happened Saturday night in Geidam, a border town with Niger.

Witnesses also said attackers blew up a local police station and attacked an old generation bank, as well as set fire to businesses and at least eight churches.

Commissioner of Police, Yobe State Command, Sulaiman Lawal, confirmed the city came under attack, but declined to offer any further details, referring calls to the national police headquarters, where no one answered calls.

The attacks come after a November 4 attack in the state capital claimed by Boko Haram that killed more than 100 people. Witnesses told The Associated Press (AP) that many in the city hid inside their homes after the fighting immediately following evening prayers.

“We started hearing a deafening blast—boom, boom,” said witness Grema Umaru, 39. It followed “with sporadic gunshots near the police station”.

While authorities declined to reveal who they suspect in the attack, it mirrors other assaults recently carried out by the Boko Haram. The group has launched a series of attacks against Nigeria’s central government over the last year in its campaign to implement strict Sharia law across the nation of more than 160 million people.

Boko Haram claimed responsibility for a November 4 attack on Damaturu, Yobe State’s capital that killed more than 100 people. The group also claimed responsibility for the August 24 suicide car bombing of the United Nations’ headquarters in Abuja that killed 24 people and wounded 116 others.

Recently, the Federal Government arrested a member of the country’s National Assembly and accused him of being involved with the group along with other politicians.