A deadly explosion rocked Mairari village in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday, claiming the lives of nine civilians and leaving several others injured.
The blast, believed to have been triggered by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by Boko Haram insurgents, occurred at a local bus stop around 11 a.m.
According to eyewitnesses, the victims were awaiting transportation when the explosives detonated, sending shockwaves through the quiet village and plunging the community into mourning.
Confirming the incident on Sunday, the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, expressed profound grief over the loss of lives and called for urgent security reinforcement in the area.
“It is unfortunate that nine of my resilient constituents were killed by planted IEDs today while waiting to board vehicles at a local bus stop in Mairari village,” Lawan said in a statement. “May Allah grant their souls Aljanatul Firdaus. I also pray for the speedy recovery of those receiving treatment in Monguno and Maiduguri hospitals.”
The explosion left scores wounded, with survivors evacuated to nearby towns for urgent medical care. Authorities have yet to release the identities of the victims.
Lawan, who represents the area in the state assembly, described Mairari as a once-thriving village that had been resettled twice, but has again been abandoned due to persistent attacks by Boko Haram and its offshoot, ISWAP.
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“Mairari, which was the only resettled village in Guzamala, has now been deserted again due to repeated assaults,” he said. “Despite these challenges, many of our people, currently displaced in Monguno and Maiduguri, still return to the village to tend their farmlands.”
The lawmaker praised the ongoing efforts of the Nigerian military in combating insurgents but urged a more robust intervention in Guzamala.
“I acknowledge the efforts of Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar and his troops under Operation Hadin Kai. However, I appeal for a full military takeover of Guzamala LGA to flush out Boko Haram and restore civil governance,” he said.
Saturday’s attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents that highlight the continued threat of insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast region, despite ongoing military operations.
Security agencies have yet to issue an official statement on the blast as of the time of this report.