The convoy of the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, was ambushed Sunday by suspected Boko Haram members, two days after an attack on the convoy of his officials.
Reports revealed that the ambush occurred as the governor’s convoy was departing Baga town in Kukawa Local Government Area of the state.
Earlier on Friday, at least 15 security personnel had died in an ambush as a convoy of the governor was driving towards Baga town to participate in the official relocation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to their reclaimed communities after years of displacement.
The Friday ambush, which was condemned by President Muhammadu Buhari and described as a sabotage of Zulum’s efforts as governor, sources said, happened near Cross-Kauwa village; a few kilometres from Mile-4, where the Nigerian military biggest camp is located.
READ ALSO: BudgIT Issues Apology To Lagos Over Misrepresentation Of Finances
A source, who claimed that no life was lost in Sunday’s failed ambush, stated:
As we approached Cross-Kauwa an explosive believed to be landmine detonated and was immediately followed with the serious firing of guns from all sides,” said a government official who does not want to be named in this report.
It was so terrifying that some of the security details in the convoy engaged in a brief moment of argument as to whether to make a U-turn and return to Baga or we should charge through. It was later decided that we had to forge on despite the shooting. That was how we charged through the ambush, and most of our vehicles had their tires deflated or riddled with bullets. We did not stop until we got to Monguno town.
Sadiq Abubakar, another survivor, said:
Thank God there was no death except some few injuries.
About three vehicles escaped with shattered windscreens, while the Press Crew bus conveying journalists, had flat tyres. A military gun truck was also severely hit, while a soldier sustained a bullet wound on his shoulder.
The governor and his entourage have since arrived in Maiduguri.