Jonathan’s advance campaign team trapped in Maiduguri after Boko Haram attack

The advance team that travelled to Borno state to prepare the ground for President Goodluck Jonathan’s Saturday campaign rally is now trapped in Maiduguri, following an attack by Boko Haram members on the state capital.

According to a source who spoke with TheCable on Sunday evening, those trapped largely comprise members of the president’s medical, media and security teams.

Boko Haram attempted to seize the town on Sunday morning, but its fighters were repelled by a combination of soldiers and the civilian Joint Task Force (JTF).

The source said the stuck entourage was taking refuge at a location under protection.

The president’s convoy arrived the town late on Friday under watertight security and was scheduled to leave on Sunday morning, only for their plans to be scuppered by the Boko Haram attack.

“Some people who came with the convoy took the risk to leave Maiduguri against security advice when the attack was still building,” he said.

“But others decided to stay and wait for the attack to be quelled before leaving. What is happening is that the insurgents are desperate to launch an attack related to the president’s visit. They want to embarrass the presidency.”