Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have attacked the convoy of Mustapha Gubio, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship flagbearer in Borno State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday along the Gubio-Kareto-Damasak Road in the northern part of the state.
Gubio and members of his campaign team were reportedly travelling to 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 at its recent primary election.
Sources said the convoy came under heavy attack around the Kareto community at about 2:30 p.m.
The attackers reportedly used rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and firearms during the assault.
However, the attack was said to have been repelled by security personnel attached to the convoy, including soldiers, police officers, personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Services (DSS), Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local vigilantes.
An insider who reportedly escaped the attack described the incident as frightening, saying the convoy came under heavy fire from suspected terrorists.
According to the source, some police armoured vehicles were damaged during the attack, but no member of the convoy was killed.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, also confirmed the incident.
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 rocket-propelled grenades.
He said the security team forced the attackers to retreat into the surrounding bush and conducted a search of the area to identify and clear possible secondary explosive threats.
The police spokesperson added that the convoy, which was carrying a gubernatorial candidate, government officials and political stakeholders, was safely evacuated to a secure location.
He confirmed that no casualties were recorded among members of the entourage.