Iliyasu Abdullahi Bah
At least four people were killed and several others wounded when their vehicle hit a suspected Boko Haram-planted improvised explosive device (IED) along the Maiduguri-Damboa road in Borno State.
The incident, confirmed by Damboa District Head Lawan Maina, occurred between Damboa and Kwanar Jaki village in Konduga Local Government Area.
“The charcoal-laden vehicle, carrying passengers to Maiduguri, detonated an IED about 15km into the journey, killing four instantly,” Maina said. “The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.”
He noted that the road has become increasingly dangerous over the past two months due to repeated IED explosions targeting travelers.
Damboa, located 85km from Maiduguri, has faced persistent insurgent attacks, forcing the closure of the Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu federal highway. Currently, only military-escorted movement is permitted on the Maiduguri-Damboa stretch.
The Borno State Police Command, through spokesperson ASP Kenneth Daso, confirmed the attack occurred around 12:30 pm near Komala village.
“An Isuzu pickup (DAM 156 XA) carrying passengers from Damboa to Maiduguri struck an IED, killing four and injuring ten others,” Daso stated. “The victims have been taken to Maiduguri Specialist Hospital for autopsy and treatment.”
Security forces have secured the area, with police bomb disposal units investigating the scene to prevent further attacks.
