Nigerian governorship candidate shot dead along 6 others

BORNO, NIGERIA: Nigerian governorship candidate Modu Fanami Gubio on Friday was killed along six others by unknown gunmen in Borno State, the Saturday sun newspaper reported.

Gubio was the candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) for Borno State. He was on his was way to his father's house in the Shehuri North area, in Borno's capital city Maiduguri.

Around four to five men on motorcycles arrived and opened fire on him. The ANPP candidate was giving some money to some young men who approached him. The security escort of Gubio fired back without success.

The gunmen escaped before being identified and Gubio was left bleeding profusely as well as the four men who were traveling with him. In addition, two sellers were killed in the afternoon shooting raising the total death toll to seven.

Police forces were rushed to the area. One of the victims was identified as Goni Modu Sheriff, the brother of current Borno Governor Ali Modu Sheriff who called for an urgent security meeting at the Government House.

Maiduguri's busy streets were cleared by 5:30 p.m. local time as tension permeated the whole city. The militant Islamic group Boko Haram is the main suspect of the assassination.

Boko Haram militants have put Maiduguri under siege in the last five months. The Islamic group reiterated Thursday that they will not stop killings until Governor Sheriff steps out.

(BNO NEWS )