Security personnel attached to the convoy of Borno State Governor, Prof.

The attack occurred near Gujba town around 4:48 p.m. on Monday as the governor’s convoy was returning from Biu, where Zulum had earlier commissioned projects in Biu and Hawul Local Government Areas. The governor had left the convoy earlier for an urgent engagement in Maiduguri, leaving top government officials to lead the team back to the state capital.

According to eyewitnesses, the insurgents had barricaded the highway, seizing vehicles and forcing passengers to lie face down before the intervention of security operatives. One of the rescued victims, Malum Ari, recounted his ordeal, stating that the terrorists took his car key and held the passengers hostage.

“They collected the car key and asked the passengers to lie on the ground with their faces down. Luckily enough, they sighted the convoy, which greeted them with heavy fire, forcing them to retreat,” Ari said.

He described the attackers as more than 20 armed men, some of whom panicked and fled upon seeing the security convoy. One militant reportedly fell twice before managing to escape on a motorcycle.

A passenger expressed frustration over the increasing frequency of attacks.

“They always block the road in broad daylight,” he lamented.

The incident comes just days after Boko Haram militants raided Gujba town, killing a 32-year-old vigilante, Modu Bulama, and burning down shops and homes.