A deadly explosion rocked Mairari village in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday, leaving at least nine people feared dead and several others injured.
The blast, which occurred around 11 a.m., was reportedly caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted at a local bus stop.
According to reports, the IED was planted by suspected terrorists targeting civilians who had gathered to board commercial vehicles.
The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, confirmed the tragic incident and mourned the loss of his constituents.
“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 stated.
He offered prayers for the victims and wished a swift recovery to those undergoing treatment in nearby hospitals.
“May Allah grant their souls Aljanatul Firdaus. I also pray for the swift recovery of those currently receiving treatment in hospitals in Monguno and Maiduguri,” he added.
The Speaker lamented the renewed wave of attacks in the region, describing Mairari as a unique village in Guzamala that had previously been resettled twice under full civil authority, only to be abandoned again due to Boko Haram and ISWAP resurgence.
He explained that many displaced residents, now living in Monguno, Guzamala, and Maiduguri, often return to Mairari during the farming season, making them vulnerable to terrorist surveillance and attacks.
“Unfortunately, terrorists 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 narrated.
He extended his condolences to the affected families and urged the military and security agencies to intensify efforts in reclaiming and securing Guzamala LGA, particularly Gudumbali—the council’s headquarters—and Mairari village, both still largely under terrorist control.
“We appeal to the military and security agencies to restore civil authority in Guzamala, especially in Gudumbali and Mairari,” he said.
When contacted for a statement, the spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, did not speak.
Subsequent attempts to reach him went unanswered, and he did not respond to a text message.
