By Bode Olushegun
Boko Haram terrorists on Saturday again ambushed an advance team of Borno State governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, at Ja’alta along Gajiram to Monguno Road, killing seven soldiers and two members of Civilian-JTF.
Confirming the report, a top security source said that those in the attacked convoy were military and security officers who were to provide support for the governor who flew from Maiduguri in a helicopter to Baga.
The source said the convoy was attacked along Gajiram to Monguno road.
The security source further stated that some civilians were also in the convoy expected to join up with the governor to campaign towards the forthcoming local government election in the state scheduled for next Saturday.
The governor was also expected to distribute relief materials to people in the Baga area.
One of those in the convoy, who was lucky to escape being killed, said: “We were attacked by the gunmen who came with about six trucks and seven motorcycles. We engaged them but we lost some of our guys.”
He said: “We had no option than to abort the trip and returned back to Maiduguri with corpses of the deceased. About seven people died immediately but two of my colleagues (soldiers) died from gunshot injuries when we got back to Maiduguri. In all, nine security men were killed in the attack.”
As of the time of this report, attempts to get official confirmation from government, military and security officials were unsuccessful as the known spokespersons had yet to reply messages sent to their mobile lines.
