Tragedy struck again in Borno State on Wednesday afternoon as a roadside bomb exploded in Komala village, killing four people and injuring 10 others along the Maiduguri–Damboa highway.
According to The PUNCH, the incident, which occurred around 3:30pm, involved a Suzuki pick-up truck that reportedly triggered an improvised explosive device buried along the road, a route frequently targeted by insurgents.
Spokesperson of the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, confirmed the incident in a brief statement to journalists, stating:
“Yes, we can confirm that four people lost their lives in the explosion, while 10 others sustained various degrees of injuries.
The injured victims have been taken to the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri for medical attention.”
Eyewitnesses say the blast caused a severe traffic jam as panicked motorists and passengers were held in hours-long delays.
“We met serious gridlock before we were able to pass. People were just trying to turn back or reverse,” a traveller recounted.
Wednesday’s attack comes barely two months after a similar bombing on the same route. On April 12, an IED explosion at Komala village killed eight passengers and injured 11 when a Hummer bus ran over an explosive device.
Security forces say they are continuing investigations into the persistent attacks on the Maiduguri–Damboa corridor, a known hotspot for Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) activities.
The road, which links Maiduguri to parts of southern Borno, remains under constant threat despite military patrols. Analysts warn that repeated IED attacks highlight ongoing security challenges in Nigeria’s northeastern region.
Authorities have urged residents and road users to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity along the route.
