At least 15 security personnel comprising eight policemen, three soldiers and four Civilian-JTF personnel died, Friday after suspected Boko Haram gunmen ambushed a convoy of Borno officials travelling to Baga town.

The attacked officials, according to sources familiar with the attack, were heading to Baga town ahead of government’s planned return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Maiduguri to the camps.

A battery of armed soldiers and police officers, as well as Civilian-JTF personnel, were deployed to provide escort to the officials.

The convoy ran into an ambush by Boko Haram at a spot called Korochara, which is about 2km away from the base of the Multi-National Joint Task Force on the way to Baga from Monguno.

“Seven policemen, four C-JTF members and three soldiers died instantly as the insurgents rained bullets on the unsuspecting members of the convoy,” an official of the Borno state government who wouldn’t want to be named told our reporter.

The source said the attack happened at about 2 pm.

Borno state governor, Mr Babagana Zulum, who is expected to supervise the arrival of the IDPs at Baga, had left Maiduguri earlier in the day via a military chopper.

Borno State government and security agencies whose personnel were affected are yet to officially comment on the attack.

The attack happened four days after a colonel, Mr D.C. Bako, died after another ambush by Boko Haram terrorists.

Bako was until his death commander of 25 Task Force Brigade in Damboa. He died in a military hospital where he was receiving treatment after the ambush.

PT