By Uzair Adam
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has sympathised with victims of a deadly explosion suspected to have been triggered by Boko Haram insurgents along the Maiduguri–Damboa highway.
The attack, believed to have been caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), claimed the lives of eight civilians and left 21 others injured on Saturday.
The victims were travelling in civilian vehicles when the blast occurred.Fourteen of the injured sustained serious injuries, while seven others were treated for minor wounds at the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri.
Speaking during a visit to the hospital, Governor Zulum described the incident as deeply regrettable, noting that Borno had not witnessed an IED-related attack in over a year.
“It is unfortunate this is happening now. We haven’t witnessed an IED attack for over a year,” the governor stated, pointing out that the highway had been closed for a month before the tragic incident.
Zulum expressed grief over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the families of the deceased.
He reiterated his administration’s unwavering support for the Nigerian military and other security agencies, urging them to step up surveillance along the highway to avert further attacks.
He stressed that the state government would continue working closely with the federal government and security forces to address the security challenges posed by insurgents.
“I assure the people of Borno that, ‘Insha Allah’, under my leadership, we will not allow the security situation to worsen,” he added.
The governor also pledged to strengthen community-based security efforts, particularly by supporting the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and youth volunteers involved in counter-insurgency operations.
Commenting on a recent security meeting held in Abuja with military chiefs, Zulum said the discussions were fruitful, especially concerning the resurgence of Boko Haram activities.
“We met with the service chiefs in Abuja and received assurances from them that they would do everything possible to manage the situation,” he said.
The Borno State government has called for stronger collaboration between local intelligence networks and security agencies to improve early warning systems and prevent similar attacks in the future.