At least eight travellers were killed when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded on the Maiduguri-Damboa road in Borno state on Saturday.

According to the police command in Borno, the incident, which left 11 other persons severely injured, involved a commercial bus heading to Maiduguri, the state capital, from Damboa.

“At about 11:45hrs today, a tragic incident occurred at Komala Village, Konduga LGA, Borno State,” Nahum Daso, police spokesperson, said in a statement.

“A Hummer Bus vehicle with registration number Jigawa MMR 144 XA, stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

“The explosion resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, including the driver, while eleven others sustained various injuries. The injured victims have been taken to the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri for treatment.

“Joint Clearance operation between the police and military ongoing.”

Babagana Zulum, governor of the state, who visited the victims in the hospital, directed that they be given free medical treatment.

Zulum also offered N50,000 cash to each of the injured as immediate support.

On April 8, Zulum expressed concern over the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings across the state.

The governor noted that renewed Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in many communities in Borno showed that the state is losing its ground.

He added that the recent dislodgment of military formations in some LGAs is a “significant setback” in the country’s fight against insurgency.

There have been spates of attacks in the state in recent times.

On March 21, four passengers were killed and four others injured after an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded under a commercial vehicle in Biu LGA of the state.

The Cable