Eight passengers have been confirmed dead, while 11 others sustained severe injuries when a bus travelling along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road in Borno State stepped on an explosive.
Our correspondent gathered that the incident occurred around 11:45 a.m. on Saturday.
Confirming the incident to Sunday PUNCH, the spokesperson of the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, said the injured passengers were receiving treatment at the state general hospital.
“Today, around 11:45 a.m., we received a report of an incident where a Hummer bus with registration number Jigawa MMR144, travelling from Damboa to Maiduguri, stepped on an IED at Komala village in Konduga Local Government Area. The IED was suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram terrorists.
“Unfortunately, eight persons died, while 11 others sustained injuries.”
Daso confirmed that the police had begun a clearance operation in the area to prevent further explosions.
“Currently, the Divisional Police Officers in charge of Damboa, in collaboration with that of Konduga, are on high alert, and the EOD have sensitised motorists while a clearance operation is ongoing,” he added.
One of the travellers who spoke with Sunday PUNCH on condition of anonymity also confirmed the incident.
“The bus was severely damaged beyond recognition, which indicated an explosion. We heard that the vehicle hit an explosive device not far from the roadside, and all nine passengers died instantly,” he said.
Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Zulum of the state visited the injured travellers at the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri.
The governor expressed deep concern over the incident, describing it as unfortunate.
He assured residents of ongoing collaboration with security agencies to mitigate risks, saying, “We have held strategic meetings with service chiefs in Abuja, who reaffirmed their commitment to curbing the resurgence of Boko Haram activities in our state.”
Zulum emphasised the importance of collective efforts to support security agencies and safeguard the people.(Punch)
