Unconfirmed report says Borno State government officials have survived an ambush when their convoy was attacks by suspected members of the Islamic State in West Africa Province, ISWAP, insurgents along the Monguno/Baga axis, in the northern part of the state.
According to the report, some of the government officials said the incident occurred on Friday, September 25, at about 11:30 am after Cross Kauwa General Area, in Kukawa Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Babagana Zulum was said to have been furious over the attack, despite the earlier Baga attack where he delivered food aid to 80,000 IDPs in Monguno.
Security sources blame the faction loyal to ISWAP fighters for the attack.
“It was repelled accordingly, but we suspect ISWAP are behind the attack on the convoy of the state officials on assignment to resettle Baga IDPs to their ancestral homes,” a security source said.
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When contacted, one of the officials who sought anonymity, said the attack happened some kilometers away from the Multinational Joint Task Force Headquarters in Baga.
Another source confirmed to our correspondent that one of the senior Borno government officials was killed during the attacks while others were injured, and have been evacuated to the Monguno General Hospital.
The government officials were on a trip to Monguno and Baga towns to distribute food to IDPs.
Sources from the government officials said the convoy came under attack while on their way to Baga, and Monguno, deserted fishing communities in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
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It could be recalled that Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State was attacked on the outskirts of Baga town sometime in July by suspected insurgents.
The governor’s spokesperson, Isa Gusau, has confirmed the development, telling our correspondent he was working on a press statement on the matter.
Our correspondent learned that the casualty figure could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
