Boko Haram kills lawmaker, policeman, 10 others in polls attacks



Suspected members of Boko Haram sect yesterday launched separate attacks on voters in Gombe and Yobe states, killing 10 people including an All Progressives Congress (APC) member seeking re-election into the Gombe State House of Assembly, and a policeman.

Alhaji Umar Aminu  and five voters  were  shot dead in his Dukku South constituency by the terrorists who were quoted by eye witnesses as saying : ‘Didn’t we warn you about staying away from (the) election?” as they pulled the triggers.

Three people including the policeman were killed in Birin Bolawa and Birin Fulani villages in Nafada Local government area of the state.

The insurgents had apparently crossed into the state from Yobe after a similar attack in Ngalda where the state police commissioner Danladi Marcus said one person was killed.

There was confusion in the areas as some voters left the polling units but others later returned to be accredited, sources said.

Eye witnesses said the insurgents left on the Dukku-Darazo road after the attack.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Gombe State, Fwaje Atajiri, confirmed the report, adding that details of the incident would be given after investigations were completed.

“There was an attack on the outskirts of Nafada in attempt to disrupt the elections,” Mr. Atajiri, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said. “A joint team of military and police officer promptly moved to Dukku and pushed the insurgents to the bush.”

Mr. Atajiri said elections were going on in the area and other areas of the state as the Special Forces were in control of the situation.

Reacting to the death of his colleague, member representing Akko North Constituency at the State House of Assembly, Gidado Lawanti, described his death as unfortunate.