News / Nigeria

Boko Haram invades Nigerian city of Gombe

Saturday, 14 February 2015 11:19 AM [ Last Update: Saturday, 14 February 2015 11:19 AM ]

Boko Haram Takfiri militants (File photo)

Hundreds of armed Boko Haram Takfiris have invaded the volatile northeastern Nigerian city of Gombe, calling for a boycott of the upcoming general elections.

Witnesses reported hearing explosions and heavy gunfire on Saturday as the Takfiri militants attempted to take over the city for the first time.

The insurgents threw leaflets calling on residents of Gombe to shun the forthcoming presidential election scheduled for the same day, but was postponed until six weeks later.

Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission shifted elections from February 14 to March 28, due to recent mounting attacks by the Takfiri militants in troubled northeastern Nigeria.

This is while Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said there would be no further postponement of Nigeria’s presidential and parliamentary elections.

The president defended the extension, saying security forces and law enforcement agencies have extra time "to clean up" the three worst-hit states, namely Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa.

Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is forbidden,” controls large parts of northeastern Nigeria and says its goal is to overthrow the Nigerian government.

It has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly shooting attacks and bombings in various parts of Nigeria since the beginning of its operations in 2009, which have left over 13,000 people dead and 1.5 million displaced.

GMA/NN

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