Two days after the attack on the convoy of his officials, the convoy of the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, was ambushed on Sunday by gunmen believed to be members of the Boko Haram.
The ambush occurred as the governor’s convoy left the town of Baga in the local government area of Kukawa.
At least 15 security personnel were killed in an ambush on Friday as the governor’s convoy was traveling to Baga Town to participate in the official resettlement of IDPs back to their reclaimed communities after years of displacement.
The Friday ambush was condemned by President Muhammadu Buhari, who suggested the sabotage of Mr Zulum ‘s efforts as governor.
Sources familiar with the latest incident said the attack had taken place near a village called Cross-Kauwa.
Cross-Kauwa is located a few kilometers from Mile-4, where the Nigerian army has its largest camp in the area.
“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.”
The source said there was no death from Sunday’s failed ambush.
“Thank God there was no death except some few injuries,” another survivor, Sadiq Abubakar, said,
“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.