Suspected Boko Haram Gunmen Kill Muslim Cleric And Pastor In Separate Attacks

Boko Haram was suspected on Sunday of killing a Muslim cleric, Adam Albani, who had criticised the group.

The first attack happened when unidentified gunmen shot at Albani’s car on Saturday night in Zaria, as he drove home after taking a class. A witness said Albani’s wife and son were hit, while the gunmen appeared to have dragged the cleric from the car and shot him at close range.

“We kept hearing gunshots very close to our homes and later we heard the sound of a car retreating and when we later came to the scene we found Sheikh Albani lying outside the car with lots of bullet holes on him,” the witness said.

”He was still alive but his wife and a child she was holding in the front seat were already dead while the rest of the children sitting in the back seat were unharmed.”

Albani’s brother Kaburu said that his brother, who had criticised Boko Haram, and given his support to the FG’s state of emergency, died shortly after he was admitted to hospital.

In a separate attack, gunmen killed a pastor in a church in Sabon Garin Yambdula, Madagali, Adamawa state late on Friday evening. Some people tried to repel the attack with hunting rifles, said Madagali local government chairman Maina Ularamu. The attackers made off with four cows and also killed two goats, said Ularamu.

“All we know is that the gunmen were not soldiers, although they were dressed in military uniform, because some of them wore bathroom slippers instead of boots,” he said.