The convoy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Borno State, Engr Mustapha Gubio, has been ambushed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.
According to sources, the incident occurred as the candidate and his entourage were returning to Maiduguri after a thank-you visit to the border town of Damasak, on Thursday evening
Damasak is located in the northern Borno, is about 190km from Maiduguri, the state capital
A security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the insurgents had planted landmines along the Gubio-Kareto-Damasak highway
He said the police armoured vehicle leading the convoy unfortunately ran over one of the explosive devices, triggering a blast
“We entered Damasak safely and spent about 40 minutes there On our way back, the insurgents planted mines on the road, and the armoured vehicle that led the convoy drove over it and exploded,” the source said.
Following the explosion, the terrorists attempted to ambush the convoy
However, a combined team of gallant security operatives, comprising the military, police, and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), swiftly responded, engaging the attackers in a fierce gunfight
“We had to park and take positions, waiting for the remaining vehicles in the convoy to arrive In the course of waiting, we noticed the movement of the insurgents and swiftly engaged them,” the source added.
While the security operatives successfully repelled the attack and prevented further damage or casualties to the main convoy, the police armoured vehicle suffered severe destruction from the bomb blast
The Gubio-Kareto-Damasak route is a notoriously volatile corridor
It serves as a transit route for Boko Haram insurgents moving from their Lake Chad enclaves toward Alagarma, the Sambisa Forest, and parts of Yobe State
Because of its strategic importance for terrorist logistics and movement, the area has long remained a dangerous hotspot for relentless ambushes targeting both military convoys and civilian travelers
Commuters and security forces alike routinely navigate the treacherous route under the constant threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and sudden raids, cementing its status as one of the most perilous zones in the ongoing insurgency
Thursday’s ambush underscores the persistent security challenges facing political figures and campaigns in Borno State
The incident has also evoked memories of past political violence in the region, notably the tragic January 2011 assassination of Modu Fannami Gubio, governorship candidate of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), who was shot and killed by gunmen in Maiduguri
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Nahum Kenneth Daso, for an official comment on Thursday’s attack were unsuccessful, as he did not answer calls or respond to text messages sent to his phone
Editor’s note: This picture was used for illustration