The Nigeria Police Force says its tactical operatives repelled an attack by terrorists on a convoy conveying Mustapha Gubio, the Borno State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, and other political stakeholders.
The attack occurred on Thursday along Kareto-Damasak road in Borno state, according to the police.
In a statement on Friday, the police said the attackers engaged the convoy with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), prompting tactical operatives to respond.
The operatives reportedly counter-engaged the attackers and forced them to retreat into the surrounding bush.
The police said the tactical team subsequently scanned and cleared the route to guard against secondary explosive threats before safely evacuating the convoy to a secure location.
“The tactical team forced the terrorists to retreat into the surrounding bush and subsequently scanned and cleared the immediate axis to neutralise secondary explosive threats,” the statement reads.
“The convoy, conveying a gubernatorial aspirant, government officials and political stakeholders, was safely evacuated to a secure location with no casualties recorded among members of the entourage.”
This is not the first time suspected terrorists have attacked a high-profile politician in Borno state.
In 2020, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants reportedly used a donkey strapped with explosives to ambush the convoy of Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno.
Zulum was returning to Maiduguri, the state capital, from Baga when the convoy came under attack.