By Joy Yesufu
Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have attacked Bala-Tela village in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State, killing one person and setting a church building, a vehicle and other property ablaze.
The attack, which occurred on Friday, has heightened concerns over renewed insecurity in the area, which shares a boundary with Hong Local Government Area, another part of the state that has experienced repeated attacks.
Residents said the assailants arrived in large numbers on motorcycles and opened fire indiscriminately, throwing the community into panic.
The attackers killed one person before setting fire to a car, a church building and other property. The full extent of the damage was not immediately established.
The incident is the second reported attack on Bala-Tela between April and October this year.
On April 26, suspected Boko Haram insurgents reportedly killed 29 people in the community after attacking residents who had gathered to watch a local football match.
The attackers were said to have opened fire on the spectators, killing those within their reach.
Gombi and neighbouring Hong Local Government Areas have continued to face security concerns linked to suspected insurgent activities.
On September 7, suspected terrorists reportedly attacked Dzangula, another community in Gombi Local Government Area, killing 12 people.
The latest assault has renewed concerns about the safety of rural communities in the area and the need for sustained security operations to prevent further attacks.
As of Friday, there had been no official statement from the relevant security authorities on the Bala-Tela incident. The circumstances surrounding the attack, including the identities of the assailants and the full extent of the casualties and property damage, had yet to be independently confirmed.
