-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

Five persons were killed in the convoy of former governor of Borno State, Sen. Ali Sheriff along Maiduguri-Damaturu highway, a security source has revealed.

The source, who spoke anonymously to our correspondent, said the Boko Haram attacked the Sheriff’s convoy around Auno, few kilometres to Maiduguri.

The security source, disclosed that Sheriff was coming into Maiduguri from Abuja on Thursday evening to take part in the third day post burial prayer for his father, Galadima Sheriff who died last week.

He said Sheriff had travelled in a convoy of nine exotic vehicles.

The source added that they (Sheriff convoy) were trailed by the Boko Haram around Auno.

The source said they (Boko Haram) engaged the escort of Sheriff on Thursday evening at about 6:30pm and in the crossfire killed two police officers, two civilians and a soldiers.

He noted that one of the nine vehicles was damaged at Auno as the convoy was rescued by a team of the Rapid Response Squad deployed to Njimtilo to enforce the COVID-19 lockdown.

The source said the Boko Haram were pushed back by the team of Rapid Response Squad.

This would be the first time that the former governor, who have been frequently threatened by Boko Haram, was engaged by the terrorist group.