1 police operative killed as Boko Haram ambush gov Buni’s convoy

Gunmen suspected to be members of the dreaded Boko Haram on Saturday, ambushed the security details of governor Mai Buni of Yobe state, killing one police officer and injuring six others.

This medium gathered that the attack happened along Jakana-Mainok expressway in Borno State.

Mr Buni had joined other dignitaries in Maiduguri to attend the ceremony, where Vice-President Kashim Shettima was conferred with an honorary doctorate degree.

However, unknown to the terrorists, after the event, the security team returned to Yobe, but without the governor, who stayed behind in Maiduguri preparatory for another trip to Abuja for an official engagement

While confirming the attack, the spokesman of the governor, Mamman Mohammed, said the security men ran into the ambush.

“They fired some shots but the security escorting the governor’s official vehicles back to Damaturu exchanged fire with them, but three policemen sustained injury,” he said.

He said the security operatives were able to repel the attack and that those injured were responding to treatment.

Dailytrust quoting a source report that the “troops leading the convoy with MRAP, a Gun Truck and another vehicle conveying the Police and DSS were targeted.

“Consequently, the troops responded with heavy fire, forcing the terrorists to retreat. Unfortunately, one Police Officer paid the supreme price, even as two soldiers including a driver, three policemen and a DSS were wounded.

“The security operatives returned safely to Damaturu, the Yobe state capital, while the wounded personnel and the driver were evacuated to an undisclosed hospital for treatment, but some of the wounded are in critical condition,” the source said.