8 killed, 11 injured as Boko Haram explosive goes off in Borno
By Jeffrey Agbo
At least eight people were killed and 11 others seriously injured on Saturday when a passenger bus struck an improvised explosive device (IED) along the Maiduguri-Damboa road in Borno State.
The explosion occurred around 11:45 a.m. near Komala village in Konduga Local Government Area. Authorities suspect the device was planted by Boko Haram terrorists.
Confirming the incident, spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, said the victims were travelling in a hummer bus with registration number Jigawa MMR144 en route from Damboa to Maiduguri when the blast occurred.
“Today, around 11:45 am, we received a report of an incident where a hummer bus with registration number Jigawa MMR144 from Damboa to Maiduguri stepped on an IED at Komala village in Konduga local government. The IED was suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram terriorist,” Daso said.
“Unfortunately, eight persons died, while 11 others sustained injury.”
He also noted that police teams, including the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, have commenced a clearance operation to secure the area and prevent further threats.
“Currently, the Divisional Police Officers in charge of Damboa and in collaboration with that of Konduga are in high vigilance, and the EOD have sensitised the motorists while clearance operation is ongoing,” he added.
One eyewitness, who chose to remain anonymous, told PUNCH that the damage to the bus made it clear the cause was an explosion and not a collision.
If you see the bus, you can tell clearly that it was an explosion because it was damaged beyond recognition,” he said.
