Seven soldiers and two members of the Civilian JTF reported killed Saturday when terrorists launched an attack on the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum’s convoy at Ja’alta along Gajiram to Monguno Road.
The advance team was said to be on its way to Baga in Kukawa local government area of the state.
The latest attack marked the third time Zulum’s convoy would come under attack by terrorists in Baga in as many months.
The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) is said to have a stronghold in the area.
According to Sahara Reporters, Zulum is spending two days in Baga alongside other government officials to supervise the distribution of food items to newly-resettled displaced persons.
Read Also: Recession: Nigeria Needs Necessary But Painful Actions – By Atiku Abubakar
However, the governor was said to have been airlifted to the town in a helicopter and was not in the convoy when it came under enemy fire.
“We were attacked by the gunmen who came with about six trucks and seven motorcycles. We engaged them but they have already destabilised.
“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,” Sahara Reporters quoted a soldier attacked to Zulum’s convoy as saying.
Read Also: Recession: Cut cost of governance now – SERAP tells Buhari
The Nigerian military has yet to confirm the attack.
Leave a Reply