The convoy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Borno State, Engr. Mustapha Gubio, was reportedly ambushed by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Thursday evening.
The incident occurred along the Gubio-Kareto-Damasak highway as Gubio and members of his entourage were returning to Maiduguri after a thank-you visit to Damasak, a border town in northern Borno State.
Damasak is located about 190 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital.
According to a security source who spoke on condition of anonymity, suspected insurgents planted Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the highway.
The source said a police armoured vehicle leading the convoy ran over one of the explosives, triggering a powerful 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 them and exploded,” the source said.
The explosion was reportedly followed by an attempt by the insurgents to ambush the convoy.
However, security operatives comprising military personnel, police officers, and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) reportedly responded swiftly and engaged the attackers in a gun battle.
The source said the security personnel took strategic positions while waiting for other vehicles in the convoy to arrive.
“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.
The security operatives were said to have successfully repelled the attack, preventing further damage or casualties involving the main convoy.
However, the police armoured vehicle that triggered the explosive device reportedly sustained severe damage in the blast.
The Gubio-Kareto-Damasak highway is regarded as one of the volatile routes in northern Borno, with security concerns linked to insurgent activities in the region.
The corridor connects areas around the Lake Chad basin with other parts of Borno and neighbouring Yobe State and has previously recorded attacks involving Improvised Explosive Devices and armed ambushes.
Thursday’s reported attack highlights the continuing security challenges in Borno State, particularly for political figures and other travellers operating along remote routes.
The incident also brings back memories of the January 2011 assassination of Modu Fannami Gubio, an ANPP governorship candidate, who was shot dead by gunmen in Maiduguri.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official confirmation of Thursday’s incident from the Borno State Police Command.
