Seven persons die, many commuters injured as explosion rocks Borno

An explosion along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road has killed no fewer than seven commuters.

The explosion followed an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists on the dilapidated and deserted road that passes through the Sambisa forest.

It was said to have happened while cars on a scheduled military-escorted convoy were transporting passengers from Damboa to Maiduguri on Saturday, leaving several others with varying degrees of injuries.

The Maiduguri-Damboa Road links Maiduguri to several local government areas in Southern Borno and has been a hotspot for Boko Haram terrorists for over a decade.

The road was closed to vehicles and commuters until the administration of Babagana Zulum opened it for passengers to travel to Damboa, Chibok, and other LGAs in southern Borno. A military convoy served as security for the commuters.

The convoy traverses the road two times a week after scanning for IEDs by the military, and this has been going on for over two years now.

The injured persons, whose numbers are yet to be specified, have been conveyed to a hospital in Maiduguri for prompt medical attention.