adminLAGOS. — Gunmen have attacked a wedding convoy in Nigeria, killing more than 30 people including the groom. Islamic militants were blamed for the ambush on the notorious Bama-Banki Road in the north-eastern Borno state. The road runs alongside forests which are a known hideout for members of the Boko Haram terrorist group.Witnesses said the wedding party was returning to the state capital Maiduguri after a ceremony in Michika in nearby Adamawa state when the gunmen struck.
One driver, who did not wish to be named, said he saw dead bodies lying on the road.
“It was a gory scene,” he told the AFP news agency. “All the victims were brutally murdered by the attackers.” Violent attacks are not uncommon in Borno, where an army offensive to drive out insurgents is under way.
Last month, suspected extremists attacked a military checkpoint, reportedly killing at least four members of the security forces.
A state of emergency was declared in the state in May following an increase in violence.
In another development, at least 24 people died and many others injured in a stampede in Nigeria’s southern state of Anambra, local sources said yesterday.
The tragedy occurred on Saturday at a gathering sponsored by St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, the local Red Cross reported.
More than 100 000 worshippers were gathered in the town of Uke for All Souls Day at dawn, when the crowd lost control.
Witnesses said someone cried “fire” to spark the panic at the gathering. At least five men and 19 women were found dead. — Sky News-Xinhua.
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