Boko Haram militants raid Lafarge's Ashaka works, Nigeria

Boko Haram militants on Thursday stormed the Lafarge-owned cement factory in Ashaka, Gombe state, as part of an attack on two towns in northeast Nigeria.

According to witnesses, the Islamists first struck in Bajoga, 60km (40 miles) from Gombe city, in a convoy of 20 vehicles before being pushed to Ashaka.

A staff member at the cement works said the factory was evacuated before the attack, telling local press that the Boko Haram fighters seized  several Hilux (four-wheel drive) vans. They also entered the factory clinic and took away an ambulance along with drugs, according to the source.

A company spokesperson in Paris confirmed that there were no casualties or damage in the attack, and that the factory was still functioning.

This is the second time in as many months that the cement plant has been stormed. The plant was attacked on November 4, when pick-up trucks and large quantities of industrial dynamite used in mining were also taken.