No fewer than 8 people have been killed and 11 other injured as Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists exploded in Borno State.
The incident took place on Saturday at about 11:30 am when a retinue/convoy of private and commercial vehicles was been escorted by troops from Damboa to Maiduguri.
It was learnt that the incident occured near Gidan Kaji (Poultry House) located in the Konduga local government area of the state. The Poultry House has remained closed and deserted for over a decade following the Boko Haram crisis.
This is coming barely a few hours when an Ex-Borno Commissioner of Trade, Commerce and Industry, Hon. Yerima Lawan Kareto lambasted the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who argued that Borno is safe, contrary to reports that security agencies seem to be overwhelmed by terrorists following renewed attacks.
According to the District Head of Damboa, Lawan Maina, all those who sustained injuries have been evacuated and admitted at the State Specialists Hospital Maiduguri, while the remains of the victims are under profiling.
“It is very saddened to inform you about the explosion that took place along Damboa-Maiduguri road this morning.
“A driver of a hummer bus and seven passengers died at the spot, while many others sustained various degrees of injury.
“I want to appeal to the federal government and the security agencies to redouble their efforts in complementing Borno State Government’s support and cooperation to defeat Boko Haram terrorists in the North East sub region”. Maina stated.
Nahum Daso, spokesperson of Borno State Police Command confirming the incident said; “At about 11:45hrs today, a tragic incident occurred at Komala Village, Konduga LGA, Borno State..
“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.”
Meanwhile, Babagana Zulum, governor of the state, has visited the victims in the hospital and directed that they be given free medical treatment.
Zulum also offered N50,000 cash to each of the injured as immediate support.
On April 8, Zulum expressed concern over the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings across the state.
The governor noted that renewed Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in many communities in Borno showed that the state is losing its ground.
He added that the recent dislodgment of military formations in some LGAs is a “significant setback” in the country’s fight against insurgency.
There have been spates of attacks in the state in recent times.
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.
