Police confirm attack on Borno APC governorship candidate’s convoy

The Borno State Police Command has confirmed that the convoy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Engineer Mustapha Gubio, came under attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists along the Gubio-Kareto-Damasak highway.

The attack occurred on Thursday afternoon as Gubio and his entourage were returning to Maiduguri from Damasak, where the APC candidate had visited party supporters to appreciate them for their support during the party’s governorship primary that produced him as the consensus candidate. Blueprint reports

Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Kenneth Daso, confirmed the incident on Friday, saying the convoy was ambushed around Kareto community at about 2:30pm.

According to him, the attackers planted improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along the route and also opened fire on the convoy with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs).

Daso said the attack was swiftly repelled by a combined team of security personnel comprising the police, military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Services (DSS), Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local vigilantes.

He said no member of the security forces or civilian was killed in the attack.

“Yes, 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,” Daso said.

“The terrorists laid ambush with planted Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) targeting the convoy and also fired several Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), but they were repelled with no casualty recorded from the side of the security forces or civilians.”

Armoured vehicle damaged

Although the police reported no casualties, sources said a police armoured vehicle attached to the convoy was damaged during the encounter.

The extent of the damage could not be immediately ascertained, while details of possible losses suffered by the attackers were also unavailable as of the time of filing this report.

The incident highlights the continuing security challenges along the northern axis of Borno State, particularly communities and highways that have remained vulnerable to attacks by insurgents.

The Gubio-Kareto-Damasak route connects communities in northern Borno and has previously witnessed security incidents linked to insurgency.

Damasak, located in Mobbar Local Government Area, is about 156 kilometres by road from Maiduguri and lies close to Nigeria’s border with Niger Republic.

Convoy returning from Damasak

Gubio’s convoy was reportedly returning to Maiduguri after the APC candidate paid a thank-you visit to party members in Damasak.

The visit followed his emergence as the party’s consensus governorship candidate at the APC primary, where he secured the party’s ticket ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The journey back to the state capital was interrupted when the attackers reportedly laid an ambush around Kareto.

The terrorists allegedly targeted the convoy with explosives before engaging the security personnel accompanying the politician in a gun battle.

The rapid response by the security agencies prevented the attackers from overrunning the convoy or inflicting casualties on the candidate, his entourage and other travellers along the route.

Security forces repel attack

The police said the coordinated response involved multiple security formations working together to repel the attackers.

The participation of the military, police, NSCDC, DSS, CJTF and vigilante personnel underscores the multi-agency approach adopted by security authorities in combating insurgency across Borno.

Borno has remained at the centre of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency campaign since the Boko Haram insurgency intensified in the state more than a decade ago.

Although security operations have significantly reduced the ability of insurgents to hold large territories, sporadic attacks, ambushes and the use of improvised explosive devices continue to pose threats, particularly along remote roads and communities.

The latest attack on the APC candidate’s convoy is therefore likely to renew concerns over the safety of political movements and other road users as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.

Despite the attack, the police said the convoy was successfully secured and no life was lost.

Authorities are expected to sustain security operations along the route and other vulnerable corridors in northern Borno to prevent further attacks and protect residents and travellers.