The convoy of the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Borno State, Mustapha Gubio, came under attack on Thursday evening.
The incident occurred along the Gubio-Kareto-Damasak highway as Gubio and his entourage returned to Maiduguri from Damasak. Damasak, a border town in northern Borno, is about 190 kilometres from Maiduguri. Gubio had visited the town as part of a thank-you trip.
Police armoured vehicle triggers explosion
A security source said suspected Boko Haram insurgents planted explosives along the highway before the convoy arrived. According to the source, a police armoured vehicle leading the convoy drove over one of the devices. The explosion severely damaged the vehicle.
“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 it and exploded,” the source said.
The explosion reportedly came shortly before the suspected insurgents attempted to ambush the convoy. Security personnel accompanying the candidate quickly took defensive positions and engaged the attackers.
Security forces repel attackers
Military personnel, police officers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force took part in the response. A security source said the operatives noticed the movement of the attackers and opened fire.
“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 team reportedly repelled the attackers before they could reach the main convoy. No casualty was immediately reported among Gubio, his entourage or other members of the main convoy. However, the police armoured vehicle sustained severe damage in the blast.
Borno route remains security concern
The Gubio-Kareto-Damasak corridor remains a major security concern in northern Borno because of recurring insurgent activity. Security sources have linked the area to movements by Boko Haram and other insurgent groups operating around the Lake Chad region.
Travellers and security personnel using the route have faced threats from roadside explosives and ambushes. Thursday’s incident has again highlighted the security risks facing political activities in Borno as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.
The attack also recalls the 2011 killing of Modu Fannami Gubio, who was then the governorship candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party in Borno State.
As of the time of filing this report, the Borno State Police Command had not publicly confirmed the attack. Attempts to reach the command’s spokesperson, DSP Nahum Kenneth Daso, for an official comment were unsuccessful.
