Boko Haram on Wednesday ambushed some oil workers between Magumeri and Gubio on their way to Maiduguri, killing nine of them.
National Daily learnt that the oil workers were part of the exploration team to the Lake Chad Basin of Nigeria who are prospecting for oil in Borno state.
National Daily gathered that the oil explorers were ambushed around Borno Yeso area of Magumeri, as some security personal providing protection for them, geologists, students from the University of Maiduguri were also seriously wounded.
It was further learnt that details of the actual casualties are still sketchy as only one out of the 10 vehicles said to be in the convoy has returned to Maiduguri with only five wounded victims given credence to the speculation that so many of them might have been killed or captured alive by the terrorists.
The attacked vehicle was said to have had several bullet shots, flat tyres and smashed wind screen.
Meanwhile, there has not been any official statement by the military authority in 7 Division. Efforts made to reach the spokesperson of the Division was not possible as the DAPR was not picking his phone.
National Daily recalls that President Buhari had last year given directives to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to resume oil exploration at the Lake Chad Basin and River Kolnami.
It was gathered that in consonance with the presidential mandate, the Group Managing Director, NNPC sent a delegation to Maiduguri with the intention to commence oil exploration promptly.