Alhaji Modu Sandami Gubio, the gubernatorial candidate for the All Nigeria People Party (ANPP) in Borno State, has been assassinated in Maiduguri, Borno State, by suspected members of the Boko Haram Islamist militia group.

Alhaji Gubio and eight others were gunned down by two men on a motorbike as his entourage arrived at his father's house after attending Friday prayers.  Seven others died during the attack.

Three so far unidentified civilians were also shot at random in the town centre by suspected Boko Haram members.  One died on the spot, while two others are being treated at Maiduguri's Teaching Hospital.  Following the killings, Maiduguri is reported to have been "shut down". 

"Maiduguri is in crisis.  The town has been shut down since this afternoon's killings", a local person informed CSW.  "We can only pray because we don't know what will happen next".

Nigeria hoped it had seen the last of Boko Haram following the siege and destruction of its headquarters in Maiduguri in 2009.  However, an attack in September 2010 on Bauchi Federal Prison that destroyed the complex and freed more than 700 inmates, including around 100 alleged members Boko Haram, heralded the group's return.

Since that time Maiduguri has experienced a wave of attacks by gunmen on the back of motorcycles that are attributed to Boko Haram. The group initially targeted members of the security forces and Muslim leaders who were deemed to have betrayed it.  However, over the Christmas period, the group mounted several attacks on church services, killing around 15 Christians and destroying at least five church buildings.  Prior to the current assassinations attacks appeared to have become less frequent following the detention of suspected funders of the organization.

CSW's National Director Stuart Windsor said, "We send our sincere condolences, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives in this senseless attack. The planners and perpetrators of these motorcycle drive-by shootings must be apprehended swiftly, so that all peace-loving people in are no longer terrorized by their actions."

For further information or to arrange interviews please contact Kiri Kankhwende, Press Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0)20 8329 0045 / +44 (0) 78 2332 9663, email kiri@csw.org.uk or visit www.csw.org.uk.

CSW is the UK's leading human rights advocacy organisation specialising in religious freedom, working on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs and promoting religious liberty for all.