By Sadeeq Kamsela
No fewer than eight persons, including a driver and seven passengers, were feared dead in an explosion along the road leading from Maidiguri Biu in Borno State on Saturday.
It was gathered that the explosion was likely an improvised explosive device (IED) that was triggered by suspected terrorists operating around a poultry n Damboa, Konduga local government area of the state.
At the time of this report, it was gathered that Babagana Zulum, governor of the state, had directed a hospital in the state capital to treat the wounded, promising to pick up the bill.
Sources familiar with the area said security operatives had ceded the area where the incident occurred to Boko Haram terrorists, who operate unhindered around Konduga and other parts of Borno State.
Lawan Maina, the District Head of Damboa, told newsmen in a telephone chat that several victims sustained wounds from shrapnel and that they were evacuated to the State Specialists Hospital in Maiduguri.
The remains of the victims, Maina said, were being identified at the time of the chat late on Saturday afternoon.
“It is very sad to inform you about the explosion that took place along Damboa-Maiduguri road this morning. A driver of a hummer (commercial) bus and seven passengers died on the spot, while many others sustained various degrees of injury.
“I want to appeal to the federal government and the security agencies to redouble their efforts in complementing Borno State Government’s support and cooperation to defeat Boko Haram terrorists in the North East sub region”. Maina stated.
