Boko Haram Murders Two Party Officials Who Welcomed Jonathan To Borno

President Jonand and Gov. Shettima during his recent visit to Borno

Two top leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Borno State were yesterday assassinated by gunmen suspected to be operatives of the Islamist militant group Boko Haram. The slayings came less than one week after the officials participated in welcoming President Goodluck Jonathan during his tour of the troubled state.

The victims were Usman Gula (who was the PDP's vice chairman for Southern Borno), and Hajia Gamboa, who served as the party’s women’s leader for Shehuri ward in Maiduguri. A security source told that both officials were killed by gunmen yesterday at their respective homes. The source added that, even though no group had claimed responsibility for the assassinations, the State Security Service and the Borno State police command were working on the assumption that the attacks were the handiwork of Boko Haram.

“We’re carrying out our investigations,” the source said.