Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has confirmed that no fewer than 29 people were killed in a deadly attack on Guyaku community in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Gunmen were said to have carried out the assault on Sunday, targeting residents gathered at a football pitch, in what marks another episode of violence in the troubled North-East region.
According to a statement from the governor’s office on Monday, the assailants operated for several hours, killing residents and destroying property, including places of worship and motorcycles.
Residents who spoke on the incident corroborated the casualty figure, stating that many of the victims were young people who had assembled to watch a football match.
A resident, Philip Agabus, said the attackers stormed the venue and opened fire indiscriminately.
“Our people had gathered at a football pitch in Guyaku when insurgents came in and started shooting randomly,” he said.
Another resident, Joshua Usman, added that the victims included youths and some female spectators, noting that several buildings and motorcycles were also set ablaze during the attack.
The governor blamed the assault on insurgents linked to Boko Haram, which has been active in the region for years.
However, a rival faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province, reportedly claimed responsibility, stating that it killed at least 25 people and destroyed property during the operation.
Condemning the incident, Fintiri vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice and announced plans to intensify security operations across affected communities.
The latest attack underscores the persistent insecurity in the North-East, where insurgency, communal clashes and criminal activities have continued to claim lives and displace residents.
Since 2009, the conflict involving Boko Haram and ISWAP has resulted in thousands of deaths and forced millions from their homes across the region.
