Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed that one military truck driver, four police escorts and one operative of the Department of State Services (DSS) sustained bullet wounds in the Saturday attack on the convoy of the governor of Yobe state, Mallam Buni, by Boko Haram terrorists.
A statement by the director of Defence Information, Major General Edward Buba however, said the governor was not in the convoy during the attack, adding that one of the injured police escorts died shortly on arrival at the Specialists Hospital in Damaturu.
He said the convoy came under Boko Haram terrorists attack six kilometres from Benesheikh town but the terrorists were repelled by security escorts with support from troops of 29 Task Force Brigade on routine patrol.
He said: “The governor was not in the convoy. However, government officials in the convoy at the time of the incident include the following: Secretary To Yobe State Government, Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali; Special Adviser On Security to the Governor, Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam (Retired); and Special Adviser On Religious Affairs.
“Troops of 29 Task Force Brigade on patrol duty and route Piquetting along Road Maiduguri to Damaturu promptly moved to the scene and assisted in the extrication of the victims and recovery of the two vehicles affected in the incident”.