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The Islamic State West Africa, (ISWAP) a faction of Boko Haram has claimed responsibility on the attack of convoy of Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima.
Governor Kashim Shettima’s convoy was reportedly attacked on Tuesday alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) that were far behind when he was heading to a rally in northeastern part of the State ahead of Saturday’s presidential election.
Although the governor and other top politicians escaped unhurt but, many other person were injured.
But ISWAP had in a communique claimed that three soldiers were killed in the raid on their base in Kareto in Borno state, saying that they also captured an “array of weapons and ammunitions as spoils.
Claiming further, the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) via its Amaq news agency medium claimed that apart from the three Nigerian soldiers in question, 42 other people were killed in the attack on Borno State.
A military officer in Maiduguri was quoted to have told AFP on Thursday that three soldiers were lost in the fight and several others are still missing.
On November 9, Shekau claimed several attacks in northeast Nigeria in a video message obtained by AFP.
More than 27 000 people have died since the start of the insurgency in the remote northeast in 2009 and 1.8 million are still homeless.
Meanwhile, the Borno government had in a statement yesterday confirmed that three persons were killed in the said attack on Governor Kashim Shettima’s convoy on Maiduguri-Gamboru Road.
Confirming the incident, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communications and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau said in a statement issued in Maiduguri on Thursday that preliminary reports confirmed the killing of three persons in the attack when the insurgents ambushed some vehicles on the governor’s convoy on Tuesday evening.
He said that the incident occurred when the governor was campaigning in the area, adding that he had since returned to Maiduguri on Wednesday evening.
Gusau stated further that the governor would on Thursday (Yesterday) hold security meeting with heads of security agencies to get briefs on the incident. The governor’s aide said Shettima would also pay condolence visit to the families of those who lost their lives in the attack.
He said: “Gov. Kashim Shettima mourns with the deepest thought and heartfelt condolences, the demise of some fellow citizens, brothers, associates and loyal supporters.
“This follows the unfortunate ambush of some vehicles in his convoy by suspected insurgents on Tuesday evening along the road to Gamboru, headquarters of Ngala Local Government Area. “While the Governor is expecting full security briefing to get accurate information on the incident, preliminary report on Wednesday confirmed the killing of three persons during the attack,“ he said.
