Boko Haram Attack Rocks APC Governorship Candidate’s Convoy in Borno

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists on Thursday attacked the convoy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Borno State, Mustapha Gubio.

The incident occurred along the Gubio-Karote-Damasak highway in the northern part of the state.

Gubio and his team were travelling to Mobbar Local Government Area for a thank-you visit to party supporters.

The visit followed his emergence as the APC’s consensus candidate at the party’s recent primary election.

Sources said the terrorists opened fire on the convoy around Kareto community at about 2:30pm.

The attackers reportedly fired several rocket-propelled grenades and engaged the convoy with sporadic gunfire.

Security personnel attached to the convoy quickly responded to the attack.

The team included soldiers, police officers, personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, DSS operatives, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and vigilantes.

A member of the entourage who escaped the attack described the incident as terrifying.

“The terrorists fired several Rocket Propelled Grenades on our convoy, followed by sporadic shooting,” the source said.

The source added that the security personnel successfully repelled the attackers.

Police armoured vehicles sustained damage during the encounter, but no member of the convoy died.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, confirmed the attack in a statement.

He said police tactical operatives counter-engaged the suspected terrorists after they attacked the convoy with an improvised explosive device and rocket-propelled grenades.

According to Iniedu, the tactical team forced the attackers to retreat into the surrounding bush.

The officers then searched and cleared the immediate area to prevent possible secondary attacks.

Iniedu said the convoy included Gubio, government officials and other political stakeholders.

He confirmed that security personnel evacuated the entire entourage to a safe location.

“No casualties were recorded among members of the entourage,” he said.

The attack comes amid continuing security concerns across parts of northern Borno, where terrorist groups have maintained the capacity to target roads and isolated communities.

The incident also highlights the security challenges facing political activities in areas affected by insurgency.