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Nigerian officials say gunmen opened fire at a student housing area in the northeast Tuesday, killing at least 10 people.

​​The attack took place at Federal Polytechnic college in the town of Mubi, in Adamawa state.

A spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency, Yushau Shuaib, says the final casualty toll was not immediately clear.

The radical Islamist group known as Boko Haram has carried out many attacks in northeastern Nigeria. But authorities say the motive behind Tuesday's attack is not known.

Security officials say student elections were being held at the college, and officials are investigating the possibility the shooting stemmed from election rivalries.

Boko Haram

Based in the northeastern city of Maiduguri
Began in 2002 as a non-violent Islamist splinter group
Launched uprising in 2009; leader was subsequently killed in police custody
Has killed hundreds in bombings and shootings since 2010
Boko Haram translates to "Western education is sinful"
Wants Nigeria to adopt strict Islamic law
Some politicians, criminals believed to be acting under Boko Haram guise

Article by VOA News