The Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, escaped death on Saturday evening when suspected Boko Haram terrorists ambushed his security convoy, killing one policeman and injuring six others along the Jakana-Mainok expressway in Borno State.
It was discovered that the security team was on the convoy that escorted the governor to Maiduguri for the University of Maiduguri’s 24th Convocation event, where Vice-President Kashim Shettima was awarded an honorary doctorate degree.
Unknown to the Boko Haram terrorists, after the event, the security crew returned to Yobe, but without the governor, who remained in Maiduguri in preparation for another trip to Abuja for a formal engagement.
Mamman Mohammed, the governor’s spokesman, confirmed the attack, saying Governor Buni’s security men were ambushed.
“They fired some shots, but the security escorting the governor’s official vehicles back to Damaturu exchanged fire with them, but three policemen sustained injuries,” he stated.
Furthermore, he disclosed that the security operatives were able to repel the attack and that those injured were responding to treatment.
However, a security source from the security convoy told newsmen that while the suspected Boko Haram terrorists were targeting the governor, they were also after some of the sophisticated weapons and ammunition in the security convoy.
The source said, “The terrorists’ target and eyes were on the MRAP and the gun truck that the troops leading the convoy are equipped with. Because their arms and ammunition have been heavily depleted recently and they need new stock with the latest versions, that’s why they attacked the MRAP gun truck and another vehicle conveying the police and DSS, which were targeted.
“As expected, our ever-prepared 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 DSS personnel, were injured,” he disclosed further.
Meanwhile, albeit unverified as of press time, it is suspected that the terrorists incurred a high number of casualties.
Following the incident, it was learned that the security personnel returned safely to Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State, while the injured troops and driver were brought to an unidentified facility for treatment, “but some of the wounded are in critical condition,” according to the source.
