At least eight people, including a driver and seven passengers, were killed and several others injured when their bus stepped onto an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) along the Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu federal road in Borno State. The deadly attack, suspected to have been carried out by Boko Haram insurgents, occurred on Saturday morning, sparking renewed concern about the ongoing security crisis in the region.
The incident took place around 11:30 a.m. near Gidan Kaji, also known as Poultry House, located in the Konduga local government area of Borno State. Poultry House has been abandoned and closed for over a decade due to the Boko Haram insurgency. The convoy, consisting of both private and commercial vehicles, was reportedly being escorted by troops from Damboa to Maiduguri when the explosion occurred.
According to the District Head of Damboa, Lawan Maina, the victims were in a convoy traveling when the IED detonated. The explosion killed the driver of a hummer bus and seven of his passengers on the spot, while many others sustained various degrees of injury. Maina confirmed that those injured were evacuated and taken to the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri for treatment. The remains of the deceased are currently being processed.
Maina expressed his deep sadness over the incident and appealed to the federal government and security agencies to intensify efforts to combat Boko Haram and ensure the safety of Borno State residents. He emphasized the urgent need for improved cooperation between the federal government, the Borno State government, and the military to end the ongoing attacks.
“This attack is another sad reminder of the insecurity plaguing our state. We urge the federal government to do more to support the efforts of the Borno State government in securing our communities,” Maina stated in a phone call to journalists.
Following the explosion, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and his entourage visited the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri, where they ensured that the victims of the attack received immediate medical attention. Governor Zulum ordered that treatment be provided free of charge for all the injured individuals.
Zulum has been at the forefront of efforts to address the persistent insecurity in Borno State, frequently calling on the federal government to bolster security in the region, which continues to suffer from attacks by Boko Haram and other insurgent groups.
The attack also highlights the vulnerability of civilians traveling along major roads in the state, particularly those who rely on the Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu road, a key route connecting various parts of Borno State.
This deadly attack comes amid rising tensions between the Borno State government and the federal government over the state of security in the region. Last week, the controversy deepened when a former commissioner of Trade, Commerce, and Industry in Borno State, Hon. Yerima Lawan Kareto, criticized the Nigerian government’s handling of the security situation. Kareto directly challenged the claim made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who had recently stated that Borno State was safe, despite reports of ongoing Boko Haram attacks.
In a statement, Kareto urged the minister to visit Borno and personally witness the state of affairs, particularly in areas like Damasak, located close to the Niger Republic border. Kareto emphasized that the safety of Borno’s people was a matter of concern and should not be downplayed by anyone sitting comfortably in Abuja.
“Minister Idris should come to Borno and see the situation for himself,” Kareto said. “He should not make statements about Borno’s safety from the comfort of his office in Abuja. I invite him to come with me to Damasak, so he can see the situation firsthand and apologize for his earlier remarks.”
Kareto’s comments came after a meeting of the Expanded Security Council in Maiduguri, where Governor Zulum warned that Boko Haram was gaining ground in Borno due to increased attacks. He highlighted recent incidents, including the dislodging of military formations in Wulgo, Sabon Gari, Wajirko, and Izge, as evidence of Boko Haram’s growing presence.
The remarks by the Minister of Information sparked widespread public backlash. Many residents of Borno, including local leaders and security experts, expressed disbelief at the minister’s claim, given the evidence of recent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in the region. The minister’s statement, which downplayed the security challenges in Borno, was met with anger from various quarters, including from those who had directly experienced the violence.
In response to the criticism, the Minister’s media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, issued a clarification, stating that the minister had been misquoted. Ibrahim’s statement claimed that the minister had never said “Ignore Zulum, Boko Haram has not taken over Borno.” However, the clarification did little to quell the anger, with many locals calling for the minister to visit the region and offer a more sincere apology.
For the people of Borno, the situation remains dire. Many communities have faced multiple waves of displacement due to Boko Haram attacks. The ongoing insurgency has caused severe disruptions to daily life, with businesses, schools, and hospitals often forced to close or relocate. While the Nigerian military continues to carry out operations in the region, the insurgents remain a potent threat.
Borno’s citizens continue to suffer from the effects of the conflict, which has lasted for over a decade. The loss of lives in recent attacks, including the one on Saturday, underscores the enduring dangers faced by the people of Borno, even as the Nigerian government claims progress in the fight against terrorism.
As the crisis continues, calls for stronger federal action are mounting. The state government, under Governor Zulum, has been proactive in providing support to the military and security agencies, but local leaders insist that a more robust and coordinated effort is needed to fully eradicate the insurgency. The people of Borno, who have endured years of violence, are calling for greater attention from the federal government and the international community.
