An explosive device, reportedly planted by Boko Haram terrorists, detonated on the Damboa-Maiduguri road in Borno State, killing at least eight people.
It was gathered that several others were injured and taken to the hospital in the incident occurred on Saturday.
A Facebook user, Ibn Maigana, confirmed the attack, shedding light on the long-standing dangers faced by residents in the area.
Maigana, expressing grief, wrote, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raju’un. The road to my hometown, Damboa Local Government Area in Borno, has been dangerous and one of the riskiest roads in the country for years now. We’ve lost exceptional military staff and residents to the criminal elements called Boko Haram.”
Maigana further stated, “And today, they planted explosives that claimed the lives of eight innocent individuals on the Maiduguri-Damboa road. This further justifies the call for the intensification of security measures to protect the lives and properties of the citizenry. May Allah protect us from being victimized by ungodly elements and rest the souls of the deceased.”
Another user on X, @OffucialAzzaki, also confirmed the attack, saying, “A bomb blast has just occurred along Damboa road to Maiduguri. Sadly, 8 lives were lost, and several others have been taken to the hospital with injuries. Please pray for the victims.”
According to SaharaReporters, the Borno State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso Kenneth, said he was trying to gather more information about the incident when contacted.
Meanwhile, it was reported that Senator Ali Ndume revealed that Boko Haram terrorists had taken control of at least three communities in Borno State, effectively replacing the government authorities with their own.
The senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, spoke during an appearance on Channels Television on Friday, raising concerns about the worsening security situation in Nigeria’s North-East.
“Yes, three,” Ndume said when asked whether certain areas in Borno were currently under the control of Boko Haram insurgents.
He had named the communities as Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area, Marte, and Abadam, adding that there are “no civil authorities” in those regions.
“What we are saying is that there is no civil authority there, and the authority is Boko Haram,” he emphasised, describing a dire situation in which the government has lost ground to the terrorists.
The senator’s comments reinforce recent concerns raised by Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, who also sounded the alarm over renewed Boko Haram attacks and widespread insecurity.
“As I address this important gathering today, it is unfortunate that the renewed Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in many communities almost on a daily basis without confrontation signalled that Borno State is losing ground,” Governor Zulum had said earlier in the week during a security meeting in Maiduguri.
Senator Ndume backed the governor’s statement, dismissing any attempts to downplay the severity of the crisis.
