Hundreds of Boko Haram militants have invaded the north-east Nigerian city of Gombe, firing heavy guns and distributing leaflets calling on residents to boycott upcoming general elections, according to residents, The Guardian reported on Saturday.
“The Boko Haram gunmen are now at the Jeka-da-Fari roundabout in the centre of the city, firing indiscriminately and throwing pamphlets calling on people not to participate in the elections,” resident Ali Dahiru said.
Other witnesses said the extremists stormed the city around 9am and advanced without any resistance from the security forces.
A Nigerian fighter jet encircled the city but made no attempt to attack the insurgents, said witness Kabiru Na-Gwandu. He said the residents had been warned to evacuate Gombe, which has been attacked by the insurgents previously.
“I received calls from friends in Kwadam, which is 5km away, warning me to leave because Boko Haram were on their way,” said Na-Gwandu, who lives near the military base in the city.
“I evacuated my house along with my family before they arrived in the city and I’m happy that I did because from information I’m receiving they have taken over the military barracks,” he said.
The Boko Haram fighters demanded residents boycott the elections which were postponed until 28 March.