The convoy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Borno State, Mustapha Gubio, has come under attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists, hours after Defence Minister Christopher Musa declared that Nigeria had defeated terrorism.
The incident occurred on Thursday along the Gubio-Kareto-Damasak highway as Gubio and his entourage returned to Maiduguri after a thank-you visit to Damasak in northern Borno.
According to reports, suspected insurgents planted explosives along the route before attacking the convoy. A police armoured vehicle leading the convoy reportedly triggered one of the explosives, causing significant damage to the vehicle.
The explosion was followed by an attempted ambush, but security personnel attached to the convoy responded and engaged the attackers.
Vanguard reported that soldiers, police officers, NSCDC personnel, DSS operatives, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and vigilantes were involved in repelling the attack.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, also confirmed the incident.
He said police tactical operatives “successfully counter-engaged suspected terrorists” who attacked the convoy with an IED and rocket-propelled grenades, adding that the attackers were forced to retreat into the surrounding bush.
Iniedu said the convoy, which included the gubernatorial aspirant, government officials and political stakeholders, was safely evacuated and no casualties were recorded among members of the entourage.
The attack has now drawn attention because of its timing.
On Thursday, Defence Minister Christopher Musa said the Federal Government had defeated terrorism in Nigeria and argued that attacks by terrorists were no longer as rampant as they previously were.
Asked whether terrorists had been defeated or merely displaced, Musa said: “Frankly speaking we have defeated terrorists because now, like I said, the attacks are not as rampant and it is now kidnapping.”
He further argued that the country no longer experienced the kind of brazen attacks associated with Boko Haram in previous years, saying terrorists now carried out isolated attacks and had increasingly shifted towards kidnapping.
The fresh attack on a high-profile political convoy in Borno has therefore triggered questions online about the minister’s assessment of the country’s security situation.
Social Media Reactions
Ebys’Lady: “Which kind Convoy be this? You mean The monster they created? Attacked them?”
NURUMOSCO: “The game don dey sweet 😊. Make the politicians too feel am small. But the matter go long oo”
Nsikak Nathaniel Akpan: “Na them them we no care. Let them keep messing the country up”
MuyiScott: “President Tinubu’s administration has defeated them. Could be another group.”
hola🌹🌹: “Sorry, hope say them no reach 30 way them kill shaaaa”
Eliezer: “Sad comment section… Only if people know how ruthless those idiots are, I pray never to experience them again in my life. My stay in Borno state was a memorable one.”
kħąłįfă 🖤🏌🏿: “Hope the boko harams weren’t hurt ?”
Josh Greyy: “Did they kpai the candidate?”
Solomon Abiodun: “They were able to kidnap him?”
Okos: “The elite are feeling it now”
SUPREME 👑 🔥🆘🔥: “First time I’m supporting Boko haram.”
