Deadly attack on Nigeria politician's home

Attacks, including bombings, linked to Boko Haram have left about 3,000 people dead since 2009 [AFP]

Attackers have stormed the home of a Nigerian deputy governor and slit the throats of two of his guards, while killing nine others in the same village in the restive northeast, police said. It was unclear who was behind the attack in Midlu village of Adamawa state in the early hours of Saturday, Mohammed Ibrahim, police spokesman, said. Adamawa Deputy Governor Bala James Ngilari was not at the home at the time of the deadly attack. "The two guards at the deputy governor's house were slaughtered," said Ibrahim, specifying their throats were slit. The remaining nine were killed by gun at different locations. He said the attacks appeared targeted, with initial information indicating some victims in the village were called out by name. "We have not made any arrests yet but joint military and police teams have been deployed to the village to track down the attackers who are on the run," Ibrahim said. Boko Haram has carried out scores of attacks in the region, though Adamawa state has also been embroiled in a feud among members of the ruling PDP party. Violence linked to armed group Boko Haram, including killings by the security forces, have left about 3,000 people dead since 2009. President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday formed a panel to study whether the group should be offered an amnesty deal to bring an end to the violence in Africa's most populous nation and largest oil producer. Swamp ambush In a separate attack, gunmen have ambushed and opened fire on a police boat in the southern oil-producing region, leaving 12 police officers missing, authorities said on Saturday. The attack on Friday came after a purported statement from the main armed group in the Niger Delta region, MEND, threatened to resume attacks over the conviction of alleged leader Henry Okah in South Africa. Police however said there was no link and the ambush appeared to be related to a dispute between a former fighter and his gang. Authorities said the attack in the swamps of Bayelsa state came while officers were escorting the former fighter for his mother's burial. Bayelsa police commissioner Kingsley Omire said it was too early to say whether the officers were dead. "Twelve policemen are missing," Omire told AFP. "Three policemen were rescued, as well as the boat driver. They were able to swim across the swamp." 463