No fewer than 29 persons have been confirmed killed following a brutal attack by suspected gunmen on Guyaku and Telabala communities in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State, plunging the rural settlements into mourning and renewed fear over worsening insecurity in the region.
The attack, which occurred on Sunday at about 5:00 p.m., reportedly took place while residents were watching a football match organised at a primary school field, turning a moment of leisure into a massacre as the assailants stormed the area and opened fire indiscriminately.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived suddenly and began shooting sporadically, forcing residents, including women and children, to flee in different directions for safety as chaos enveloped the communities.
A resident of Guyaku, Musa Guyaku, who narrowly escaped, described the incident as terrifying, saying the gunmen struck when the community was least prepared.
“Yesterday evening, youths organised a football match between two communities. Suddenly, gunmen invaded our community and started shooting sporadically. They killed two persons sitting in a hut and set the hut ablaze,” he said, struggling to contain his emotions.
He added that the full extent of casualties was difficult to immediately confirm as many residents were still missing in the aftermath of the attack.
Community sources said at least 29 persons were later confirmed dead, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries. Houses, motorcycles, and a church building were also reportedly razed during the attack.
The incident has thrown Guyaku, Telabala, and neighbouring settlements into panic, with many residents fleeing their homes amid fears of further attacks.
The latest violence comes barely a week after a similar deadly assault in Mayo Ladde community in Hong Local Government Area of the state, raising concerns over a possible resurgence of coordinated attacks in the northern senatorial district of Adamawa.
Meanwhile, Governor Umaru Fintiri, who cut short official engagements, visited the affected communities on Monday to assess the level of destruction and commiserate with victims and their families.
Speaking during the visit, Governor Umaru Fintiri described the attack as “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” noting that preliminary intelligence linked the incident to suspected Boko Haram elements and other criminal groups operating in the area.
He assured residents that government, in collaboration with security agencies, was intensifying efforts to restore peace and prevent further attacks.
“We are here to assess the situation and sympathise with our people who have been affected by this unfortunate incident. It is sad that this is happening again shortly after a similar attack in Hong,” the governor said.
“We will continue to do our best because they are our people. We will stand by them and ensure that government collaborates with the military and other security agencies to ensure that they are well protected,” he added.
During the visit, Fintiri toured devastated areas where burnt houses, destroyed motorcycles, and worship centres were sighted, while displaced residents were seen evacuating their belongings amid tears and confusion.
Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Gombi Chiefdom, His Royal Majesty Aggrey Bechour-Ali, lamented the recurring attacks in the area, revealing that security agencies had earlier issued warnings over possible threats, which led to the suspension of planned Sallah celebrations in the locality.
He, however, expressed concern that the attackers appeared to have taken advantage of the football gathering to launch the assault.
“There are informants in our midst who may even be sons of the soil. The attackers exploited the football match to strike,” the monarch said.
Security analysts have warned that repeated attacks on rural communities in Adamawa State underscore deepening vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s North-East, particularly in areas with limited security presence and difficult terrain.
As of press time, security forces were said to have deployed additional personnel to the affected communities, while surveillance operations were ongoing to track down the attackers.
