Nine individuals lost their lives when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated at a bus stop in Mairari village, located in the Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State. The explosion occurred around 11 a.m. on Saturday, leaving several others injured.
The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, confirmed the incident to Journalists on Sunday. He revealed that the victims were passengers waiting to board vehicles at the local bus stop.
“It is unfortunate that nine of my resilient constituents were killed by planted IEDs while waiting to board vehicles at a local bus stop in Mairari village,” Lawan lamented. He prayed for the souls of the deceased, saying, “May Allah grant their souls Aljanatul Firdaus.” He also expressed hope for the swift recovery of those hospitalized in Monguno and Maiduguri.
Mairari village has a history of displacement due to Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency. Lawan explained, “You are aware that Mairari village, which was previously the only village resettled twice with civil authority in the entire Guzamala Local Government Area, has once again been deserted due to Boko Haram/ISWAP attacks.” Despite this, displaced residents often return to the village to farm, making them vulnerable to militant attacks.
The Speaker revealed that terrorists had been monitoring the movements of these residents and planted the IED at the bus stop, which exploded as people waited for commercial vehicles. He extended his condolences to the families of the victims and called on military and security agencies to restore peace in Guzamala, especially in Gudumbali, the council headquarters, and surrounding areas long under insurgent control.
