Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have attacked the convoy of All Progressives Congress governorship candidate Mustapha Gubio in Borno State, triggering a fierce security response along the Kareto-Damasak highway.
The Boko Haram Borno attack occurred on Thursday as Gubio and members of his campaign team travelled towards Mobbar, the headquarters of Damasak Local Government Area, for a thank-you visit to APC supporters following his emergence as the party’s consensus candidate.
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Sources said the convoy came under heavy attack around Kareto community at about 2:30pm.
The attackers reportedly fired rocket-propelled grenades and opened sporadic gunfire at the convoy during the assault.
The attack was subsequently repelled by a combined security team comprising soldiers, police officers, personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services, Civilian Joint Task Force and local vigilantes.
An insider who escaped the incident described the assault as terrifying, saying the convoy was subjected to sustained fire from the attackers.
Some police armoured vehicles were reportedly damaged during the encounter, although no casualties were recorded.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, confirmed the incident.
In a statement, Iniedu said police tactical operatives counter-engaged the suspected terrorists after they attacked the convoy along the Kareto-Damasak Road using an improvised explosive device and RPGs.
According to him, the tactical team succeeded in forcing the attackers to retreat into the surrounding bush.
Security personnel subsequently scanned and cleared the area to guard against possible secondary explosive threats.
The police spokesperson said the convoy included the APC governorship candidate, government officials and other political stakeholders.
He added that the entire entourage was safely evacuated to a secure location.
“No member of the entourage was killed or injured in the attack,” Iniedu said.
The incident comes amid continuing security challenges in parts of northern Borno, where insurgent groups have carried out attacks and ambushes despite sustained military and multi-agency operations.
The attack on the political convoy also highlights the security risks facing political actors and other road users travelling through remote parts of the state.
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With the convoy safely evacuated and the area cleared, security agencies are expected to maintain heightened vigilance along the route to prevent further attacks and protect communities and travellers in the affected areas.
