An armoured police vehicle in the convoy of Borno APC governorship candidate, Engr. Mustapha Gubio, was badly damaged on Thursday evening after hitting a landmine suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram fighters.
The incident happened around 3rd September along the Gubio–Kareto–Damasak road as Gubio and his team were heading back to Maiduguri after a thank-you visit to Damasak town in Mobbar LGA. Damasak, a border community, is about 190km from Maiduguri.
According to a security source who asked not to be named, the insurgents had planted explosives on the route to target the convoy. The team had spent roughly 40 minutes in Damasak before beginning the return trip.
“On our way back, the terrorists had laid mines on the road. The lead armoured vehicle ran over one and it exploded,” the source said.
The blast was followed by an attempted ambush. However, security operatives in the convoy — made up of soldiers, police officers, and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force — quickly engaged the attackers and drove them back.
No deaths or injuries were reported among Gubio and his entourage. The police armoured vehicle bore the brunt of the explosion and was severely damaged.
The attack adds to growing concerns over safety on Borno highways, especially roads connecting northern and border communities.
As of the time of this report, authorities have not released an official statement on the incident.
