By Admin 
At least eight people were killed and several others seriously injured on Saturday when a vehicle in a convoy struck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) along the Maiduguri–Damboa–Biu highway. The deadly blast, believed to have been planted by Boko Haram terrorists, occurred around 11:30 a.m. near Gidan Kaji (Poultry House), an isolated area in Konduga Local Government Area.
The victims included a driver and seven passengers traveling in a convoy of private and commercial vehicles under military escort from Damboa to Maiduguri.
District Head of Damboa, Lawan Maina, confirmed the casualties, adding that the wounded had been rushed to the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri for treatment. Governor Babagana Zulum later visited the hospital and directed that all injured victims receive free medical care. Authorities are currently working to identify the deceased.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy,” Maina said. “A driver and seven passengers died instantly, and many more are injured. We urge the Federal Government and security forces to intensify their support for the Borno State Government in the fight against terrorism.”
The explosion occurred just hours after Hon. Yerima Lawan Kareto, a former Borno State Commissioner for Commerce, publicly criticized Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, for claiming that Borno is safe despite escalating attacks.
Kareto, a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenged the Minister to visit conflict zones like Damasak to witness the situation firsthand. “I’m ready to personally drive him there so he can see the truth,” Kareto stated.
His comments follow growing security concerns in the region, especially after Governor Zulum recently expressed alarm during an Expanded Security Council Meeting. He warned that parts of the state were slipping back under insurgent control, citing the loss of military bases in Wulgo, Sabon Gari, Wajirko, and Izge.
In response, Minister Idris had initially downplayed the governor’s warnings, asserting that the federal government and security forces remained firmly in control. The statement triggered widespread backlash, prompting the Minister’s spokesperson, Rabiu Ibrahim, to later claim that Idris’ remarks had been misrepresented.
But Kareto maintained that the clarification was insufficient. “The Minister cannot make uninformed comments from Abuja. He must visit Borno, issue an apology, and see the security challenges for himself,” he insisted.
He also reiterated the people’s strong support for Governor Zulum, praising the governor’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and rebuild affected communities since taking office in 2019. Kareto urged security agencies and frontline troops to stay resilient despite misleading narratives from the capital.