By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
The Boko Haram militants, who attacked the convoy of Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, while returning from Baga on Sunday used donkey to ambush the government officials, it has been revealed.
A source, who was part of the governor’s convoy, told the BBC that their advanced team was trapped by a donkey, which stayed at the middle of the highway, forcing them to slow down.
According to him, on seeing the donkey, the security personnel shut at it without knowing that it was laced with explosives.
He said that after the explosion, the Boko Haram militants came out from their hide-out and started shooting the governor’s convoy.
Babagana Zulum was returning to the state capital, Maiduguri, from Baga, where he had accompanied hundreds of residents who returned to the town they fled in 2014 following deadly jihadist attacks.
A number of insurgents were killed in the ensuing shoot-out and some security officials.
Governor Zulum said last week that feeding people displaced by violence in the state was not financially sustainable, insisting that the only option was for them to return and rebuild their homes to live a “dignified” life, news agency AFP reports.
Aid agencies have, however, expressed worry about the people’s security.
Despite regional efforts to end Boko Haram’s campaign of violence, the group has stepped up its attacks in recent months.
