A devastating blast at a bus park in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state has claimed the lives of at least nine people, with authorities blaming suspected militants for planting the explosive device. The attack, which occurred on Saturday, marks a troubling escalation in the region’s ongoing violence.
Residents and local officials from Mairari village in Guzamala district describe a scene of chaos and destruction following the explosion. Abdulkarim Lawan, the village’s lawmaker and speaker of the Borno State Assembly, confirmed the toll and explained that the bomb was an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by militants who have increased their attacks in recent months.
Borno has been the epicenter of Nigeria’s Islamist insurgency for over 16 years, a conflict that has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced tens of thousands of residents. The area has become increasingly volatile as groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province exploit the chaos, often using IEDs to target civilians and security forces.
Lawan described Mairari village as largely deserted due to relentless attacks. “Terrorists who have been monitoring their movements planted IEDs at the local bus stop, which exploded while people were waiting to board commercial vehicles back to their destinations,” he said.
Borno state police spokesperson Nahum Kenneth Daso acknowledged the incident but provided few details, citing ongoing investigations. A local trader, Bunu Bukar, recounted that the explosion happened as passengers were boarding a minibus, instantly killing nine and injuring several others.
This attack reflects a broader surge in insurgent violence across Nigeria since January, with militants increasingly targeting both civilians and military installations. The violence continues to threaten hopes for peace in Nigeria’s troubled northeast.
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