Boko Haram terrorists ambushed the convoy of Mustapha Gubio, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Borno State, on Thursday afternoon along the Gubio-Kareto-Damasak highway. The attack involved planted landmines and rocket-propelled grenades, but a combined team of security forces repelled the assault, resulting in no casualties among security personnel or civilians.
Attack Details and Security Response
According to the Borno State Police Command, the ambush occurred at around 2:30pm near Kareto community. The terrorists planted Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the highway and fired several Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) at the convoy. A police armoured vehicle leading the convoy triggered one of the devices, sustaining damage during the exchange.
State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Keneth Daso, confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday, September 4, 2026. He said the convoy was returning to Maiduguri from Damasak, where Gubio had gone to thank APC members for their support that led to his emergence as the party's consensus candidate at the last primary elections. Damasak is approximately 156 kilometres from Maiduguri, an area that has experienced repeated Boko Haram violence over the years.
Security Forces Repel Attack
ASP Daso detailed the response, stating that a combined team of security personnel quickly moved to push back the attackers. The team included Police, soldiers, NSCDC, DSS, CTJF, and vigilante groups.
"The convoy of the gubernatorial candidate of the APC, Engineer Mustapha Gubio, came under heavy attack around Kareto community at about 2:30pm, but was swiftly repelled by a combined team of our security forces including Police, soldiers, NSCDC, DSS, CTJF and vigilante groups," Daso said.
He further confirmed that no casualties were recorded from the side of the security forces or civilians. "The terrorists laid an ambush with planted Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) targeting the convoy and also fired several Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), but they were repelled with no casualties recorded from the side of the security forces or civilians."
Persistent Security Threat in Northern Borno
Sources indicated that one police armoured vehicle in the convoy sustained damage during the exchange, though no further details were provided. The attack underscores the persistent security threat along key routes in northern Borno State, where Boko Haram and affiliated groups have continued to target both civilians and government-linked movements despite sustained military operations in the Lake Chad Basin region.
In a related incident, suspected Boko Haram terrorists stormed Gaya community in Hong LGA of Adamawa State, setting houses ablaze. Hong LGA chairman Dr Aliyu Saad confirmed the attack, stating that one police officer and seven civilians were killed in two targeted houses. Security agencies, including troops, hunters, and vigilantes, have been deployed to the area to track down the attackers.
