Suspected Boko Haram fighters on Saturday ambushed the convoy and security escorts of Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state killing two policemen and injuring six others in the attack.
The attack reportedly took place along Maiduguri-Dramaturg-Jakana-Mainok expressway in Borno State after the governor attended the 24th convocation of the University of Maiduguri.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, an eyewitness, who was on the entourage, said the attackers opened fire on the convoy from both sides of the highway, targeting the pilot, adding; “We narrowly escaped death today. The convoy was attacked between Beneshiekh and Mainok, a distance that is less than sixty kilometres to Damaturu after attending the 24th convocation of the University of Maiduguri.
The security team had reportedly escorted the governor to Maiduguri for the 24th Convocation ceremony of the University of Maiduguri, where Vice-President Kashim Shettima was conferred with an honorary doctorate degree.
While the team returned to Yobe, Buni was said to have stayed behind in Maiduguri ahead of a trip to Abuja for another official engagement.
The spokesman of the governor, Mamman Mohammed, who confirmed the attack, said the security men ran into the ambush, further explaining that “They fired some shots but the security escorting the governor’s official vehicles back to Damaturu exchanged fire with them, but three policemen sustained injury”.
According to Mohammed, the security operatives were able to repel the attack and those injured were responding to treatment.
Meanwhile, a security source in the convoy hinted that the “troops leading the convoy with MRAP, a Gun Truck, and another vehicle conveying the Police and DSS were targeted by the attackers, adding; “Consequently, the troops responded with heavy fire, forcing the terrorists to retreat. Unfortunately, one Police Officer paid the supreme price, even as two soldiers including a driver, three policemen, and a DSS were wounded.
“The security operatives returned safely to Damaturu, the Yobe state capital, while the wounded personnel and the driver were evacuated to an undisclosed hospital for treatment, but some of the wounded are in critical condition”.
However, as of press time, it was still difficult to confirm the casualty figure on the terrorists’ side – With additional report from Daily Trust
