Gunmen haul explosives at police post, killing many in Gombe

Mohammed Abubakar, IG of Police

KANO (AFP) – Gunmen suspected to be members of Islamist Boko Haram sect late Wednesday launched simultaneous attacks on two police posts in the northern city of Gombe killing a number of people, residents said.

The attackers, who came around 8.30 pm (1930 GMT), threw explosives at a police post in central Gombe and opened fire on the policemen, a resident said.

An unspecified number of people were killed in the attack, Ibrahim Aliyu told AFP.

“They threw explosives and opened fire on the police post in central Gombe. Some of the policemen were inside while others were outside. The explosions were followed by gunfire. There was a shootout between the gunmen and policemen which lasted till 10 pm (2100 GMT),” Aliyu said.

“From a distance, I could see lifeless bodies being loaded into police ambulances,” he said, without being able to give a precise death toll because it was dark.

In the second attack, a resident in Bagadaza district on the outskirts of Gombe, Auwal Nasiru, said from his house he heard a loud explosion coming from a nearby police post.

“There were a lot of gunshots lasting for more than an hour. I cannot say if anybody was hurt or killed in the attack,” he said.

There is no official confirmation of the attacks.

Suspected Boko Haram gunmen had in late February launched coordinated gun attacks on Gombe prison and a nearby police station during which 14 people, including policemen, were killed.

The police station was burnt down in the attack.

Sokoto Bomb Attacks: Police confirm Policeman, 3 others dead

A wrecked car.

Police authorities in Abuja Monday confirmed that four persons including two suicide bombers, one police officer and a lady hair dresser lost their lives in two separate bomb attacks targeted at the office of Assistant Inspector General, AIG of Police, Zone 10, Sokoto, and a Police Station located at Angwar Rago area of the state.

Seven persons mostly civilians and police officers were rushed to the hospitals for injuries sustained as a result of shock and broken shrapnel.

Force Spokesman, CSP Frank Mba who gave the confirmation, explained that the first suicide bomber tried to make his way through the main gate to the office of the AIG, Muktari Ibrahim to achieve his sinister aim but was prevented by tough security measures put in place by the force.

Mba stated that the suspected suicide bomber however, decided to go through a second gate that was securely locked, even as some policemen were keeping guard there.

“The suicide bomber rammed the explosive laden car on the gate dying in the process and injuring one of the policemen on guard. Before the officer could get to the hospital, he gave up the ghost. Six persons who were standing nearly sustained minor injuries owing to shock.

“In the second attack, the suicide bomber targeted the Police station at Angwar Rago but met it heavily protected by Police personnel. He then made a detour apparently to find another way to the station.

“On the road however, the bombs in the Volkswagen Golf salon car he was driving exploded killing the bomber and a lady hairdresser who was opposite the exploded vehicle”, the Police spokesman explained

Mba disclosed that security has been beefed up in the Sokoto metropolis and that AIG Muktari has deployed police re-enforcements including Police Bomb disposal experts and anti-terrorists squad to the nooks and crannies of the state to ensure law and order.