At least nine passengers were killed on Saturday after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated at a local bus stop in Mairari village, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State. The attack, which occurred around 11 a.m., also left several others injured.
Confirming the incident, Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, said the victims were waiting to board commercial vehicles when the explosive went off.
“It is unfortunate that nine of my resilient constituents were killed by planted IEDs. May Allah grant their souls Aljanatul Firdaus, and I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured and currently receiving treatment in Monguno and Maiduguri,” he said.
Lawan explained that Mairari, the only resettled village in Guzamala, has faced repeated attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP. He noted that many displaced residents who sought refuge in nearby towns had returned to Mairari for farming before the tragic blast.
The speaker expressed deep condolences to the victims’ families and urged military forces and security agencies to intensify efforts in reclaiming Guzamala, particularly the deserted areas of Gudumbali and Mairari, which remain under terrorist control.