Attackers on
Friday opened fire and threw explosives at government buildings in a
north-eastern Nigerian town along the border with Cameroon that has hit
previously by robbery gangs, police and residents said.
It was
unclear if there were casualties from the attacks in Maiha. Some residents said
they suspected Islamist extremist group Boko Haram, but criminal gangs have
also repeatedly carried out violence around border posts in the area.
"We
received information on the attacks in Maiha," said Adamawa state police
spokesperson Mohammed Ibrahim.
"We are
on our way to Maiha to assess the situation and until we get there I can't give
details on damage and casualty recorded."
Residents
said a group of about 40 gunmen arrived in the town around 01:00 in all-terrain
vehicles, on motorcycles and on foot chanting "Allahu Akbar".
They then
opened fire and threw explosives at a police station, a prison, a courthouse,
an education administrative building and a government lodge, leaving them badly
damaged, according to residents.
Violence
linked to Boko Haram's insurgency in northern and central Nigeria is believed
to have left some 3 000 people dead since 2009, including killings by the
security forces.
However,
some Nigerian border areas are also notorious for violence linked to criminal
activity, and gangs have also carried out attacks under the guise of Boko
Haram.
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