At least nine people were killed on Saturday after a deadly explosion rocked a local bus stop in Mairari village, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State. The blast was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) believed to have been planted by Boko Haram or ISWAP terrorists.
The tragic incident occurred around 11 am as passengers were waiting to board commercial vehicles. Several others were seriously injured and have been taken to hospitals in Monguno and Maiduguri for treatment.
The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, confirmed the incident and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. He said the victims were residents of the area who had travelled to Mairari for farming and were returning to nearby towns when the bomb exploded.
“It is unfortunate that nine of my resilient constituents were killed by planted IEDs while waiting to board vehicles at a local bus stop in Mairari village,” Lawan said. “May Allah grant their souls Aljanatul Firdaus. I also pray for the swift recovery of those evacuated for medical attention.”
He explained that Mairari was once the only village in Guzamala LGA that had been resettled with some level of civil presence. However, repeated Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks have forced residents to flee once again.
“Many of our people who took refuge in Monguno, Maiduguri, and other parts of Guzamala usually return to Mairari during the farming season. Unfortunately, the terrorists who have been observing their movements took advantage and planted the IEDs,” he added.
Lawan extended his condolences to the bereaved families and those nursing injuries. He called on the Nigerian military and security agencies to intensify efforts to reclaim Guzamala from the grip of terrorists, especially Gudumbali — the council headquarters — and Mairari village, which remain unsafe and lack civil authority.
Guzamala is one of the LGAs in northern Borno most affected by the Boko Haram insurgency. Many of its communities, including Gudumbali and Mairari, have suffered repeated attacks and remain largely inaccessible due to insecurity.
The insurgency in the North East, which began over a decade ago, has displaced millions, destroyed villages, and killed thousands. Despite military efforts, many rural areas are still unsafe for residents to return permanently.
Saturday’s attack is a grim reminder that the fight against terrorism is far from over in Borno and the wider North East.
