29 killed as gunmen storm Adamawa communities during football match

No fewer than 29 people have been confirmed dead after gunmen attacked Guyaku and Telabala communities in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State during a local football match.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers invaded the area around 5:00 p.m. on Sunday while youths were gathered at the community’s primary school for a football match between neighbouring communities, opening fire sporadically and sending residents fleeing in panic.

The assailants also reportedly set religious buildings and other property ablaze, leaving many residents in shock and mourning.

The attack came barely one week after a similar deadly assault in Mayo Ladde, Hong Local Government Area of the state, raising fresh concerns over worsening insecurity in Adamawa’s northern corridor.

A resident of Guyaku, Musa Guyaku, recounted the incident, saying the attackers struck suddenly while the football match was ongoing.

“Yesterday evening, youths organised a football match between two communities, Zangula and another village. Suddenly, gunmen invaded our community and were shooting sporadically, killing two persons sitting in a hut and burning down the hut,” he said.

He added that he could not immediately confirm the total number of casualties due to the confusion and panic that followed the attack.

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who cut short his official engagements, visited the affected communities to assess the situation and sympathise with victims.

Describing the incident as heartbreaking and unfortunate, the governor said the attack was carried out by criminal elements linked to Boko Haram and assured residents that the government would intensify collaboration with security agencies to protect lives and property.

“We will continue to do our best because they are our people, and we will stand by them and ensure that the government collaborates with the military and other security agencies to ensure that they are well protected,” he said.

Fintiri confirmed that about 29 persons lost their lives in the assault and pledged that additional security measures would be put in place to prevent a recurrence.

Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Gombi Chiefdom, His Royal Majesty Aggrey Bechour-Ali, disclosed that security agencies had earlier warned residents to suspend Sallah celebrations because of security alerts, a directive they obeyed.

He, however, lamented that the attackers still found an opportunity to strike during the football gathering.

“There are informants in our midst who may even be sons of the soil,” he said.

During his visit, the governor toured the affected areas where motorcycles were burnt, a church building was destroyed, and several residents were either killed or injured.

Many displaced residents were also seen evacuating their belongings as they fled to safer locations.

The latest attack has once again highlighted the persistent security challenges facing rural communities in Adamawa State and the urgent need for stronger surveillance and rapid response mechanisms to prevent further bloodshed.