At least nine people are feared dead and several others injured after a bomb exploded at a local bus stop in Mairari village, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday morning.
The explosion, which occurred around 11 a.m., was reportedly caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by suspected terrorists. Victims were said to be waiting to board commercial vehicles when the deadly blast struck, scattering debris and causing panic in the rural community.
Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, confirmed the incident and described the attack as “tragic and calculated.” He said nine of his constituents lost their lives in the explosion.
“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,” Lawan stated in a condolence message. “May Allah grant their souls Aljanatul Firdaus. I also pray for the swift recovery of those currently receiving treatment in hospitals in Monguno and Maiduguri.”
The Speaker lamented that Mairari, a village previously resettled with full civil authority, has again been deserted due to renewed Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) activities. Many displaced residents who now live in Monguno, Guzamala, and Maiduguri reportedly return to Mairari intermittently to farm.
“Unfortunately, terrorists monitoring their movements planted IEDs at the local bus stop, which exploded while they were waiting to board commercial vehicles back to their destinations,” Lawan explained.
He called on the Nigerian military and other security agencies to intensify operations in Guzamala, especially in Gudumbali—the council headquarters—and Mairari, which he said remain under the control of terrorists.
Efforts to get comments from the Borno State Police Command were unsuccessful, as spokesperson Nahum Daso did not respond to multiple calls and a text message seeking clarification on the incident.
This latest attack comes just days after nine members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were killed in an ambush by insurgents in Marte, another volatile area of Borno State. The CJTF members reportedly triggered an IED while attempting to recover a fallen comrade after repelling an attack by suspected ISWAP fighters.
The North-East region continues to grapple with insecurity, as sporadic bombings, ambushes, and insurgent activities persist, despite ongoing military operations aimed at restoring peace.
Residents are calling for increased protection and a return of civil authority to communities long held hostage by terror groups.
