Borno State, Nigeria — At least eight people have been confirmed dead following the detonation of an explosive device reportedly planted by Boko Haram terrorists on the Damboa-Maiduguri road in Borno State. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, has left several others injured and hospitalized.
SaharaReporters gathered that the attack is one of the latest in a series of deadly incidents that continue to plague residents of Nigeria’s northeast, a region long besieged by Boko Haram insurgency.
Local accounts, including posts from eyewitnesses and residents, confirmed the attack. Ibn Maigana, a Facebook user from the region, wrote:
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raju’un. The road to my hometown, Damboa, has been dangerous for years. Today, explosives claimed the lives of eight innocent individuals on the Maiduguri-Damboa road. This further justifies the need for intensified security to protect our people.”
Similarly, a user on X (formerly Twitter), @OffucialAzzaki, confirmed the tragedy, stating:
“A bomb blast has just occurred along Damboa road to Maiduguri. Sadly, 8 lives were lost, and several others have been taken to the hospital with injuries. Please pray for the victims.”
When contacted, the Borno State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso Kenneth, said he was still gathering information on the incident.
The attack comes amid worsening security concerns in the region. Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South, recently disclosed that Boko Haram had taken over at least three communities—Gudumbali, Marte, and Abadam—where civil authorities have reportedly been replaced by the insurgents.
Ndume voiced his concerns during an interview on Channels Television, stressing that the government had effectively lost control in certain parts of the state. “There is no civil authority there. The authority is Boko Haram,” he said.
Governor Babagana Zulum has also raised alarms over the increasing frequency of attacks and kidnappings, stating that Borno State is “losing ground” to terrorists. According to Ndume, over 250 attacks have occurred since November last year, claiming more than 100 soldiers and nearly 300 civilian lives.
Calling for urgent intervention, Ndume urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency—not only on national security but also on the economy and citizens’ welfare. “Enough of business as usual — our people are dying, and our territories are falling,” he warned.
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