Thugs attack Shettima’s convoy, destroy 15 vehicles

Thugs, yesterday, attacked the convoy of Governor Kashim Shettima along Kashim Ibrahim Way in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

It was gathered that Governor Shettima had earlier planned to go round the state capital in the morning to inspect some projects and visit hospitals, but that when his security details informed him that the town was not safe for him, he had to delay the tour until 3pm.

Sources said the youths, armed with cutlasses, knives and sticks, positioned themselves at strategic points waiting for the governor, who they alleged has failed the people of the state.

At about 4pm, the thugs attacked his convoy leading to the destruction of about 15 vehicles in the convoy, while several people sustained injuries.

State Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Ali Bukar Dalori, in his reaction, pointed accusing fingers at some political thugs associated with former Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff.

Dalori said the attack took place while Governor Shettima was driving along Sir Kashim Ibrahim Way after going round different hospitals in the state capital, offering support to patients.

Dalori said the thugs came out from a campaign office belonging to Sheriff, called UTC and soon after the governor’s official vehicle had passed, the thugs went after vehicles in the convoy, smashing windscreens.

It was gathered that immediately he was informed of the attack, Governor Shettima restrained his security details from attacking the youths so as not to compromise ongoing counter insurgency operations.

Spokesman of ex-governor Ali Modu Sheriff, Mr. Inuwa Bwala, however, said although neither himself nor his boss was in Maiduguri to know what transpired, he believes that those who attacked Governor Shettima were the hired APC thugs that were denied payment after they carried out the contract of destroying Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, offices in the state during General Mohammed Buhari’s disrupted visit last Monday.