Fighters of the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), formerly known as Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād have opened fire on the convoy carrying policemen attached to a yet-to-be-identified presidential aspirant of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Security sources told SaharaReporters that the insurgents attacked the convoy along Maiduguri-Damaturu Road while it was travelling from Abuja for a presidential campaign in Maiduguri.
The incident reportedly happened at Goni Matari village, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State on Sunday.
Former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu; Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Tein T.S. Jack-Rich, all presidential aspirants of the APC were in Borno during the weekend.
“The officers were from Abuja, not Borno command. They were attached to one of the presidential aspirants visiting Borno on Sunday but I can’t confirm which of the aspirants (was involved) currently.
“The insurgents also burnt two patrol vehicles they were travelling in. Two of the policemen d:ed on the spot while one d:ed later at the hospital. Four others are currently hospitalised,” a police source told SaharaReporters.
Meanwhile, ISWAP has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group, however, said 7 policemen were k!lled during the ambush.Boko Haram and its offshoot, ISWAP have been ferocious.
The Nigerian Army has repeatedly claimed that the insurgency has been largely defeated.
The terror group has caused over 100,000 deaths and displaced millions of individuals mainly in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.