Grace Adeleke
Suspected Boko Haram terrorists on Thursday attacked the convoy of the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Borno State, Mustapha Gubio, while he was travelling along a highway in the northern part of the state.
The incident occurred at about 2:30pm near Kareto community, where the convoy reportedly came under heavy gunfire from the suspected insurgents.
Gubio and members of his team were said to be travelling to meet and appreciate APC members who supported his emergence as the party’s candidate when the attack occurred.
A witness who spoke about the incident described the attack as terrifying, saying the assailants opened fire on the convoy and reportedly fired rockets at the vehicles.
However, security personnel attached to the convoy, including soldiers, police and other security agencies, engaged the attackers and forced them to retreat into the bush.
A police spokesperson, who confirmed the incident, said tactical officers exchanged gunfire with the suspected terrorists before successfully repelling the attack.
The spokesperson said the security personnel subsequently conducted a search of the area for possible explosives or other threats left behind by the attackers.
Although some police vehicles were reportedly damaged during the exchange of fire, no member of Gubio’s convoy was injured.
Gubio and government officials accompanying him were subsequently evacuated to a secure location following the attack.
The incident has again raised concerns over the security situation in parts of Borno State, which has remained a major theatre of insurgency for more than a decade.
Gubio’s convoy was reportedly on its way to engage party supporters when the suspected insurgents launched the attack, highlighting the security challenges facing political activities and movement in parts of the state.
Security agencies have yet to provide further details on the identity of the attackers or whether any arrests were made following the operation.
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