By Abdulkareem Haruna

At least six security personnel were today, Nov.18, injured when Boko Haram militants opened fire on security operatives escorting the official vehicles of Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni. The convoy of security escorts made up of soldiers and policemen were heading to Damaturu from Maiduguri, Borno state.

The incident occurred shortly after the security escort team had dropped Governor Buni and some other state governors at the Air Force Base in Maiduguri, from where they departed for Abuja, the federal capital. 

The governor and his colleagues from Nasarawa and Adamawa states had attended the 24th Combined Convocation Ceremony of the University of Maiduguri. 

Governor, whose state shares borders with Borno, arrived in Maiduguri in the morning by road amidst a heavy convoy of security personnel. Damaturu is 135km away from Maiduguri. 

At the end of the event, the Yobe state governor who had official engagement in Abuja decided to use available flights at the Air Force base, Maiduguri, to proceed to the nation’s capital while his team of escorts had to return to Damaturu the same way they arrived. 

According to sources familiar with the incident, the attack took place between the Jakana and Mainok axis of the highway which used to be a notorious spot for attacks in the evenings.

The Escort team who came prepared with a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, a Gun Truck, and police and Department of State Services (DSS) vehicles, came under gunfire shortly after they passed Jakana town. 

Responding swiftly, the troops responded with heavy firepower, forcing the terrorists to retreat. However, the source said “two soldiers, including a driver, and four policemen sustained injuries. It is not clear if the attacking terrorists incurred losses or injuries as they retreated in disarray.”

The brave escort team safely made it  to Damaturu. Meanwhile, the injured personnel were swiftly transported to the hospital for medical treatment.

There has not been any official statement released by the government of Yobe state at this time. But those who spoke unofficially confirmed the incident and said “everything was under control as there hasn’t been any life lost.”