At least eight people were killed on Saturday in a devastating roadside bomb explosion along the Damboa-Maiduguri highway in Borno State. The blast, believed to have been carried out by Boko Haram insurgents, targeted a commercial vehicle traveling the volatile route, leaving several other passengers critically injured.
The explosion occurred when the bus struck an improvised explosive device (IED) planted on the highway. Witnesses said the force of the blast was so severe that victims were thrown from the vehicle, with emergency responders struggling to evacuate the injured to medical facilities in time.
No group has claimed responsibility, but the attack bears the hallmarks of Boko Haram’s tactics, which have plagued northeastern Nigeria for over a decade. The incident comes amid ongoing efforts by security forces and the state government to restore peace and rebuild communities affected by the insurgency.
Reacting to the attack, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum condemned it as a “desperate attempt to destabilize the state’s ongoing progress,” especially as displaced persons return to their homes and resume farming activities. “The enemies of peace are not happy with the progress we are making,” Zulum said during a visit to affected victims and troops in Damboa.
He went further to suggest that elements benefitting from the prolonged conflict are working against peace. “Many people, both within and outside Borno, don’t want this insurgency to end. Some are feeding off the crisis and enriching themselves through it,” he said.
Governor Zulum commended the troops stationed in Damboa for repelling further attacks and maintaining control of the area, saying, “Despite the explosion, our troops showed gallantry and ensured that more lives were not lost.”
He also assured residents that efforts are underway to intensify surveillance along highways and eliminate the threat of IEDs. “Very soon, we will get rid of the issues of IEDs on the highways,” he stated, urging citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to security agencies.
Zulum also extended condolences to the families of the victims, saying, “We will not allow these enemies of peace to succeed. We are committed to working with the military and our communities to ensure peace returns to every part of Borno.”
