At least nine civilians lost their lives on Saturday following an explosion caused by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Mairari village, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State. The devices, suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram insurgents, detonated at a local bus stop as victims waited to board vehicles.
The tragic incident, which occurred around 11:00 a.m., also left several others injured. Survivors were quickly evacuated to medical facilities in Monguno and Maiduguri for urgent treatment.
Confirming the incident on Sunday, the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, expressed profound grief over the attack.
“It is heartbreaking that nine of my resilient constituents were killed by a planted IED while waiting at a bus stop in Mairari. May Allah grant them Aljanatul Firdaus and grant quick recovery to the injured now receiving treatment,” he stated.
Lawan further lamented the continued insecurity in the region, noting that Mairari — once the only resettled village with a functioning civil authority in Guzamala — has once again been deserted due to persistent Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks. Despite the risks, he noted that many displaced residents, currently taking refuge in Monguno and Maiduguri, still return to Mairari to tend to their farmlands.
The Speaker renewed his call for enhanced military presence in the area.
“I commend the efforts of the newly deployed Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, and his troops. However, I strongly appeal for the complete military takeover of Guzamala Local Government Area, which remains under insurgent control. Restoring civil authority is essential for lasting peace and resettlement,” Lawan emphasized.
Authorities have yet to release the identities of the victims as investigations continue.
