At least nine travellers were on Sunday killed after an Improvised Explosive Device, IED, exploded at a bus stop in Mairari village in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.
The explosion, which occurred around 11am on Saturday, was reportedly masterminded by Boko Haram insurgents.
The incident also left several others with varying degrees of injuries. The wounded victims were reportedly evacuated to medical facilities in Monguno and Maiduguri for urgent treatment.
Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, while confirming the incident on Sunday, expressed deep sorrow over the attack, describing it as a devastating loss for his constituents.
“It is unfortunate that nine of my resilient constituents were killed by planted IEDs while waiting to board vehicles at a local bus stop in Mairari village.
“May Allah grant their souls Aljanatul Firdaus. I also pray for the swift recovery of those receiving treatment," Lawan said.
According to him, most of the victims were displaced persons who had returned to the village to engage in farming and other economic activities, despite the persistent insecurity in the area.
The Speaker pointed out that many displaced residents currently taking refuge in Monguno, Gajiram, and Maiduguri routinely travel back to Mairari during the day to tend to their farms.
He added that the IED was strategically planted by insurgents at the bus stop where villagers usually gather to board commercial vehicles after farming activities.
Lawan called on the military and security agencies to intensify efforts in reclaiming Guzamala LGA, particularly Mairari and Gudumbali—the council headquarters—which have remained under terrorist control for years without any civil authority.
Mairari village, located about 18 kilometers from Monguno and 119 kilometers from Maiduguri, has been a flashpoint of insurgent activity.
Meanwhile, the Borno Police Command is yet to release a formal statement on the incident.
The command’s spokesperson, Nahum Daso, said details of the attack were still being gathered and promised to provide updates as more information becomes available.