Suspected Boko Haram terrorists ambushed the convoy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Borno State, Engr. Mustapha Gubio, on Thursday evening. The attack occurred as Gubio and his entourage were returning to Maiduguri from a thank-you visit to Damasak, a border town located roughly 190km north of the state capital.
According to a security source who spoke on condition of anonymity, insurgents had buried landmines along the Gubio-Kareto-Damasak highway ahead of the convoy's passage. The police armoured vehicle at the front of the convoy drove over one of the devices, triggering a powerful blast. Immediately after the explosion, the terrorists moved in to ambush the convoy.
Security Forces Repel Attack, No Casualties
A combined force of military personnel, police officers, and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) responded quickly, engaging the attackers in a fierce gunfight. The security operatives successfully repelled the assault, and no casualties were recorded within the main convoy. The armoured vehicle, however, was severely damaged by the blast.
Attempts to get an official response from the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Nahum Kenneth Daso, were unsuccessful. He did not answer calls or reply to text messages sent to his phone.
Route Notorious for Insurgent Activity
The Gubio-Kareto-Damasak corridor has long been regarded as one of the most dangerous roads in Nigeria's north-east. The route serves as a key transit path for Boko Haram fighters travelling between their Lake Chad strongholds and locations including the Sambisa Forest and parts of Yobe State. Both military convoys and civilian travellers on this road regularly face the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and sudden raids.
Thursday's attack is a sharp reminder of the security dangers confronting political figures campaigning in Borno State. The incident also recalls the January 2011 assassination of Modu Fannami Gubio, then governorship candidate of the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP), who was shot and killed by gunmen in Maiduguri.
Context and Broader Security Implications
The attack underscores the persistent security challenges in Nigeria's north-east, where Boko Haram and other insurgent groups continue to target both military and civilian convoys. The use of landmines on major highways highlights the evolving tactics of the insurgents, who frequently employ IEDs to disrupt movement and inflict casualties.
For political candidates like Gubio, the incident serves as a stark warning of the risks involved in campaigning in the region. The successful repulsion of the attack by security forces, however, demonstrates the effectiveness of the combined military and civilian response in countering such threats. As the governorship election approaches, security measures around political figures are likely to be intensified, though no official statement has been released by the Borno State Police or the APC regarding the incident.
