A devastating bomb explosion on Monday claimed the lives of several individuals, including a mother and her child, in Sikarkur village, Chibok Local Government Area, Borno State. The explosion occurred after a civilian vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED) reportedly planted by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction of Boko Haram.
The IED was allegedly intended for military patrol vehicles navigating the area, highlighting the persistent danger posed by such devices to both soldiers and civilians in Northern Nigeria.
According to a local resident who spoke to reporters, “Boko Haram set a trap bomb on the road in Sikarkur village meant for soldiers. Tragically, a civilian vehicle ran over it, killing many, including a mother and her baby. The woman’s sister and others are currently receiving treatment at Chibok General Hospital. These incidents happen daily but often go unreported.”
This tragedy comes days after ISWAP launched a brutal attack on two other communities in the Chibok area, leading to significant casualties and the destruction of a church and several homes.
Chibok remains a poignant symbol of Boko Haram’s atrocities, following the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Secondary School in April 2014—a crime that drew global condemnation.
Since the death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, ISWAP has gained strength, consolidating control over regions near Lake Chad. The group’s numbers have grown as former Boko Haram fighters defected to their ranks.
The insurgency led by Boko Haram and ISWAP has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, leaving a trail of destruction and grief.