Gombe: Gunmen Kill Herder In Funakaye LGA, Flee With Phone

A herder, identified as Zubairu Umaru, has been tragically shot dead by suspected gunmen in a late-night attack in Abuku Dafur village, Ribadu ward, Funakaye Local Government Area of Gombe State. The killing is the latest in a series of violent incidents threatening the peace and stability of rural communities in the North-East.

Dependable NG reports that the fatal attack occurred around 2:00 a.m. on Monday when a group of six armed men invaded Umaru’s home. The security analyst, Zagazola Makama, shared the details of the incident on X, confirming that the assailants opened fire, killing the herder instantly. In a brazen display, the attackers did not stop at murder; they also stole the victim’s Techno keypad phone before escaping from the scene under the cover of darkness.

Following the horrific event, community members and local hunters visited the site and were able to recover an empty 7.62mm shell, a casing strongly suspected to be from an AK-47 rifle, indicating the sophisticated weapons used in the crime. Umaru’s body was immediately taken to the General Hospital in Bajoga, where he was confirmed dead on arrival. His remains have since been released to his family, and he has been buried in accordance with Islamic rites. Residents confirmed that efforts are presently ongoing by security forces and local vigilantes to identify and arrest the gunmen responsible for the killing.