In a chilling resurgence of terror in Nigeria’s North-East, at least eight lives were lost on Saturday in a deadly explosion triggered by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents along the Damboa-Maiduguri highway in Borno State.
The devastating blast, which occurred in the volatile region known for relentless insurgent activities, also left several others critically injured, with victims rushed to nearby medical facilities for urgent treatment. Eyewitnesses say the explosion ripped through a passenger vehicle, causing panic and anguish among road users.
Confirming the incident, local resident and Facebook user Ibn Maigana expressed sorrow over the incessant bloodshed plaguing the area. “Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un,” he wrote. “The road to my hometown in Damboa LGA has become a death trap. We have lost exceptional military personnel and innocent civilians to the murderous grip of Boko Haram. Today’s tragedy that claimed eight lives is yet another painful reminder of the urgent need for fortified security.”
Another social media user, @OffucialAzzaki, took to X to recount the harrowing scene. “A bomb blast has just occurred along Damboa road to Maiduguri. Sadly, eight lives were lost. Several others are battling for survival in the hospital. Please pray for the victims.”
When contacted, Borno State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso Kenneth, confirmed awareness of the incident, noting that investigations were ongoing to uncover the full details and bring those responsible to justice.
The incident comes on the heels of grave revelations by Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, who disclosed that Boko Haram terrorists had taken full control of at least three communities in the state—Gudumbali (Guzamala LGA), Marte, and Abadam—completely displacing civil authorities.
“There is no civil authority in those places. The authority is now Boko Haram,” Ndume declared during a Channels Television interview on Friday. “From November last year to date, there have been more than 250 attacks in Borno alone. We’ve lost over 100 gallant soldiers and nearly 300 civilians, even though our forces managed to eliminate 800 terrorists within the same period.”
Senator Ndume’s stark warning echoes recent concerns voiced by Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, who raised the alarm over the renewed spate of insurgent violence engulfing communities across the state.
“Renewed Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings are occurring almost daily, and with little resistance,” Zulum lamented during a security meeting in Maiduguri earlier this week. “It is unfortunate and deeply troubling—we are losing ground.”
Ndume further criticized the federal government’s sluggish response to the worsening crisis, blaming it on poor military strategy and lack of adequate equipment. “The security agencies are trying, but their efforts are being undercut by insufficient resources,” he said. “It’s a stagnated war—we are not winning.”
In a bold call for intervention, the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on national security and the economy.
“The time for business as usual is over,” Ndume stressed. “Our people are dying. Our territories are falling. The President must act decisively before the entire North-East slips further into chaos.”
As residents mourn yet another tragic loss, the harrowing attack on Damboa-Maiduguri road is a stark reminder of the urgent need for a robust and comprehensive approach to ending Nigeria’s lingering insurgency—before more lives are lost to the cruelty of terror.
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