Nine Killed, Others Injured in Borno Bus Stop Explosion

By Our Correspondent

At least nine people were killed and several others injured on Saturday following the detonation of an improvised explosive device (IED) planted at a local bus stop in Mairari village, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.

The explosion occurred around 11 a.

Confirming the incident to PUNCH Online on Sunday, Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, described the victims as “resilient constituents” who had returned to Mairari to engage in farming activities.

“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 said.

“May Allah grant their souls Aljanatul Firdaus. I also pray for the swift recovery of those evacuated to hospitals in Monguno and Maiduguri.”

The lawmaker explained that Mairari village had previously been resettled twice with the presence of civil authority but has once again been abandoned due to recurrent Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks.

“As resilient people, many of those taking refuge in Monguno, Guzamala, and Maiduguri often visit the Mairari community to engage in farming,” he noted.

“Unfortunately, terrorists who have been monitoring their movements planted IEDs at the local bus stop, which exploded while they were waiting to board commercial vehicles back to their destinations.”

Lawan extended condolences to the bereaved families and those injured in the attack. He also called on the Nigerian military and security agencies to intensify efforts to restore security in Guzamala, particularly in Gudumbali, the local council headquarters, as well as Mairari village and surrounding areas.

“These areas have remained deserted and under the control of Boko Haram for many years without civil authority,” he added.

The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents in Borno State, where insurgent groups continue to target civilian populations despite ongoing military operations.