Boko Haram attack Gombe
Boko Haram attacks
Gombe
Boko Haram Islamist militants have attacked the
north-east Nigerian city of Gombe, residents say.
Fighters overran a checkpoint on the edge of the
city and explosions and gunfire could be heard,
witnesses added.
Nigerian troops backed by a fighter jet were said to
be trying to drive the militants back.
Nigeria has postponed elections due to be held on
Saturday amid concerns over the insurgency in the
north-east.
Gombe – capital of Gombe State – has previously
suffered suicide attacks but correspondents say
this is the first time Boko Haram has launched a
direct assault on the city.
Reports said militants first attacked the town of
Dadin Kowa, about 40km (25 miles) from Gombe.
Ground troops with air support then battled to keep
the insurgents from entering the city.
The BBC’s Abullahi Kaura in Abuja says residents
have fled into the bush and into nearby hills.
Boko Haram controls a swathe of territory in north-
eastern Nigeria.
Its insurgency has become a regional crisis with
the four affected countries – Nigeria, Niger, Chad
and Cameroon -agreeing to form a regional military
force to try to contain the threat.
In response, the insurgents have stepped up their
attacks in Nigeria and neighbouring states.
It emerged on Friday that Boko Haram had attacked
Chad for the first time, crossing Lake Chad in four
motorboats and raiding a village overnight.
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