The convoy of Mustapha Gubio, the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Borno State, came under attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists on Thursday.
The incident occurred along the Gubio-Karote-Damasak highway in northern Borno State as Gubio and members of his campaign team travelled to Mobbar, the headquarters of Damasak Local Government Area.
The delegation was reportedly heading to the area for a thank-you visit to APC members following Gubio’s emergence as the party’s consensus candidate at its recent governorship primary.
According to sources, the convoy was attacked around the Kareto community at about 2:30pm.
The attackers reportedly fired several rocket-propelled grenades, RPGs, and opened sporadic gunfire at the convoy.
Security personnel attached to the convoy subsequently engaged the attackers in a gun battle.
A combined security team involving soldiers, police officers, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel, Department of State Services operatives, Civilian Joint Task Force members and local vigilantes reportedly repelled the attack.
An insider who escaped the incident described the attack as terrifying, saying the terrorists launched a heavy assault on the convoy.
Some police armoured vehicles were reportedly damaged during the encounter. However, no casualties were recorded.
The incident was confirmed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu.
In a statement, Iniedu said police tactical operatives counter-engaged suspected terrorists who attacked the convoy along the Kareto-Damasak Road using an improvised explosive device, IED, and RPGs.
He said the security team successfully forced the attackers to retreat into the surrounding bush.
The police tactical operatives subsequently conducted a sweep of the area to identify and neutralise any possible secondary explosive threats.
Iniedu said the convoy, which included Gubio, government officials and other political stakeholders, was safely evacuated to a secure location following the attack.
He confirmed that no member of the entourage was killed or injured.
The attack comes amid continued security concerns in parts of Borno State, where terrorist groups remain active despite sustained military and security operations against insurgents.
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