Bloodletting continues in Nigeria’s troubled state

Gunmen, believed to be from Boko Haram sect, have killed three persons including a fire service chief in Damboa local council area of Borno state.

It was the latest such attack to be blamed on the Boko Haram, just after yesterday’s noon shock killing of Major General Mohammed Shuwa in Maiduguri yesterday.

The attack on the Damboa local government office, around 90 kilometres (55 miles) south of Maiduguri, happened late Friday, policemen and residents said.

“A group of gunmen set fire to the Damboa local government secretariat and a nearby 20-unit housing estate built by the state government,” a police officer who did not want to be named, told AFP.

He said as the fire service mobilised to extinguish the fire gunmen appeared from nowhere and opened fire on them.

“The head of the fire service, Hassan Maina, was killed along with two security guards manning the secretariat,” he said.

“It is not clear who was behind the attack. But from all indications, it was the handiwork of Boko Haram,” he said.

Resident Tijjani Bulama said the gunmen came to the local government office in four unmarked vehicles, killing Maina and another official.

Nigerian security agents and government officials have been a regular target of attacks by Boko Haram extremists.

Violence linked to the Boko Haram insurgency is believed to have left more than 2,800 people dead since 2009, including killings by the security forces.