A deadly attack on two communities in Adamawa State has taken a new dimension after the extremist group ISIL, also known as ISIS, claimed responsibility for the assault that left at least 29 people dead.
ISIL — short for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant—and widely referred to as ISIS, meaning the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, is a militant jihadist group known for carrying out attacks in parts of Africa, the Middle East and beyond.
The group has used online platforms, including Telegram, to claim responsibility for violent incidents.
According to Aljazeera, in a statement circulated on Telegram, ISIL (ISIS) said it was behind the attack in Guyaku and Telabala communities in Gombi Local Government Area, where what began as a routine football match at a primary school turned into a scene of chaos and mass casualties.
Earlier reports indicated that the attack occurred during a community football match attended by youths and families.
Residents said the assailants deliberately chose the moment when large numbers of people had gathered, striking in the early evening and catching the community off guard.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the attackers arrived at about 5pm on Sunday, shooting sporadically and triggering panic as spectators and players fled for safety.
A resident of Guyaku, Musa Guyaku, described the incident: “Yesterday evening, youths organised a football match between two communities, Zangula and another village. Suddenly, gunmen invaded our community and were shooting sporadically, killing two persons sitting in a hut and burning down the hut.”
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Beyond the immediate loss of life, the attackers reportedly razed property, including religious buildings, leaving parts of the communities in ruins. Survivors were seen fleeing with their belongings, while families mourned those killed.
Governor Umaru Fintiri visited the affected communities after cutting short other official engagements, describing the incident as deeply distressing and acknowledging its toll on residents.
According to the governor, he visited to assess the impact of the attack by what he described as criminal elements of Boko Haram and to calm victims.
He confirmed that about 29 persons lost their lives and reassured residents of the government’s resolve to strengthen security.
“We will continue to do our best because they are our people, and we will stand by them and ensure that government collaborates with the military and other security agencies to ensure that they are well protected,” he said.
The traditional ruler of Gombi Chiefdom, His Royal Majesty Aggrey Bechour-Ali, raised concerns about possible insider involvement, noting that prior security warnings had been issued.
“There are informants in our midst who may even be sons of the soil,” he said, adding that the attackers appeared to have exploited the football gathering.
A tour of the affected areas showed burnt motorcycles, a destroyed church building and multiple casualties, as residents continued to evacuate amid fears of further attacks.
