An improvised explosive device (IED) on the Maiduguri-Damboa road in Borno state on Saturday killed at least eight passengers.
The incident, which also left 11 others seriously injured, involved a commercial bus travelling from Damboa to Maiduguri, the state capital, according to the Borno police command.
“At about 11:45hrs today, a tragic incident occurred at Komala Village, Konduga LGA, Borno State,” Nahum Daso, police spokesperson, said in a statement made available to The Intercept.
“A Hummer Bus vehicle with registration number Jigawa MMR 144 XA, stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.
“The explosion resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, including the driver, while eleven others sustained various injuries. The injured victims have been taken to the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri for treatment.
“Joint Clearance operation between the police and military ongoing.”
The state’s governor, Babagana Zulum, visited the victims at the hospital and ordered that they get free medical care.
In addition, Zulum provided each injured person N50,000 in cash as emergency assistance.
Concern regarding the return of Boko Haram assaults and kidnappings throughout the state was voiced by Zulum on April 8.
The governor pointed out that the state is losing ground as a result of the recent Boko Haram assaults and kidnappings that have occurred in several Borno areas.
The recent dislodgment of military units in some LGAs, he continued, represents a “significant setback” in the nation’s war against insurgency.
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The state has recently seen a wave of assaults.
On March 21, four passengers were killed and four others injured after an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded under a commercial vehicle in Biu LGA of the state.
