A devastating explosion claimed the lives of nine residents in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday.
The victims, who were waiting at a bus stop in Mairari village, were killed by an improvised explosive device believed to have been planted by Boko Haram insurgents.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m., leaving several others seriously wounded. The injured were later rushed to medical facilities in Monguno and Maiduguri for treatment.
Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, confirmed the attack on Sunday, expressing grief and solidarity with the affected families.
“It is unfortunate that nine of my resilient constituents were killed by planted IED today (Saturday) while waiting to board vehicles at a local bus stop in Mairari village. May Allah grant their souls Aljanatul Firdaus.
“I also pray for quick recovery to those who were evacuated to Monguno and Maiduguri hospitals for treatment after the incident,” he said.
He lamented that Mairari, once the only village in Guzamala where civil governance had been re-established after two separate resettlement efforts, has once again been abandoned due to repeated insurgent attacks.
“You are aware that Mairari village, which was hitherto the only village that was resettled two times with civil authority in the whole of Guzamala local government area, has remained deserted again due to Boko Haram/ISWAP attacks,” Lawan explained.
“As resilient people, most of them who are taking refuge in Monguno, Guzamala, and Maiduguri usually visit the Mairari community and engage in their farms.”
Calling for decisive military intervention, Lawan urged security forces to step up their presence in the troubled region.
“I know that the newly deployed Theatre Commander of North East ‘Operation Hadin Kai’, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar and his troops are doing well in the fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP.
“Let me reiterate my appeal for the military to take over the entire Guzamala local government area which has remained under Boko Haram territory, to restore civil authority,” he pleaded.