Suspected Boko Haram terrorists launched a fresh attack on Bala-Tela village in Guyaku District of Gombi Local Government Area, Adamawa State, on Thursday evening. The assailants arrived in large numbers on motorcycles, firing sporadically as terrified residents fled for safety. Local sources reported that the attackers torched a church building, a car, and other selected properties during the invasion. Some residents escaped into surrounding bushes to avoid being caught in the attack.
The latest assault has renewed concerns over persistent attacks on rural communities in Gombi LGA, particularly Guyaku District. The area has suffered repeated deadly raids by suspected insurgents in recent months. On April 26, 2026, suspected terrorists attacked Bala-Tela village while residents were gathered to watch a local football match, killing at least 29 people. The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) subsequently claimed responsibility for the April attack.
The April attack was a massacre that turned a peaceful community sporting event into a tragedy. Witnesses reported that the attackers arrived on motorcycles and opened fire on players and spectators. Dozens of motorcycles belonging to spectators and others at the football gathering were also reportedly destroyed. Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri visited the affected community, condemning the killings and assuring residents that the government would work with security agencies to prevent further attacks.
However, the killings did not mark the end of the bloodshed in Guyaku District. On September 7, 2026, suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Dzangula, also in Guyaku District, killing 12 people and injuring others. The attack left several houses and shops damaged, while an EYN church building was burnt and a woman abducted. The September assault underscored the continuing vulnerability of communities in the district to deadly attacks.
The latest attack on Bala-Tela has deepened fears that residents of the area remain exposed to recurring violence despite previous assurances of improved security. The repeated use of motorcycles by the attackers, their reported movement in large numbers, and the destruction of places of worship and other property have added to concerns among residents about the ability of the terrorists to strike isolated communities.
Residents who fled into nearby bushes during Thursday's attack were reportedly forced to seek safety away from their homes as the assailants carried out the raid. Efforts to reach the state police command’s spokesperson, SP Suleiman Nguroje, for comment on the reported attack were unsuccessful, as his phone was unavailable when this report was filed.
The ongoing violence in Adamawa State has raised concerns about the security situation in the region. The attacks have resulted in significant loss of life and property, with many residents living in fear of further attacks. The government and security agencies have been urged to take steps to prevent further violence and bring perpetrators to justice.
Key points
- One person was killed and a church, car, and other properties were set ablaze during the attack on Bala-Tela village.
- The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents in Guyaku District, Adamawa State, which has suffered repeated deadly raids by suspected insurgents in recent months.
- The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed responsibility for a similar attack on Bala-Tela village on April 26, 2026, which killed at least 29 people.
