Suspected Boko Haram militants attacked Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni’s convoy on the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road, resulting in the death of two policemen and injuries to two others.
The assault occurred on Saturday following the governor’s participation in the 24th convocation of the University of Maiduguri in Borno State.
According to an eyewitness, part of the convoy reported that the assailants, firing from both sides of the highway, specifically targeted the lead vehicle.
“We narrowly escaped death today. The convoy was attacked between Beneshiekh and Mainok, a distance of less than sixty kilometers to Damaturu after attending the 24th convocation of the University of Maiduguri.”
“The insurgents opened fire on the convoy from both sides of the road, killing one policeman instantly while the other died later due to too much bleeding following bullet wounds. As a matter of fact, we left Maiduguri late, around 6.00 pm,” he said.
Governor Buni was not present in the convoy during the incident as they were returning to Damaturu, the state capital.
He had traveled to Abuja for an official function. This marks the first attack on the Yobe State governor’s convoy since the onset of the Boko Haram insurgency 12 years ago.