By Sam Kayode, Maiduguri
The spate of insurgency appears to be gathering fresh momenrum as three more commuters have been killed in another explosion at about 3pm Nigerian time on Saturday. They were traveling from Damboa to Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.
Their vehicles were said to have driven over Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) suspected to have been planted by the insurgent terrorist group, Boko Haram, which have been desperate to return the theatre of insurgency in the north-east of Nigeria to the dark days of the suicide bombing.
Other victims of the explosion were said to have been rushed to the specialist hospital Maiduguri for treatment even as residents in Damboa, a strategic town in southern Borno, remained pensive as at the time of writing this report
Meanwhile, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has cried out at the rising insecurity in Borno state.
Obi said that the security situation in the Marte area of the state is unsettling and calls for emergency action.
He commended the apparent commitment of the state Governor, Babagana Zulum, who has courageously relocated to the troubled area.
Writing on his X handle on Tuesday, Obi said, “The security situation in Borno state is concerning and very unsettling. What is happening in the Marte area of the state is not just a local emergency; it is a national alarm bell that must not be ignored.
“Governor Babagana Zulum, by choosing to spend the night in a town under threat, has once again demonstrated what leadership should look like: present, proactive, and people-centred. His courage is not for commendation alone; it is a challenge to those in authority to match words with decisive action.
“We cannot claim to be building a secure and united Nigeria when one of our own, a sitting governor, is left pleading for federal support to prevent an entire local government from falling into the hands of terrorists. Over 300 communities stand exposed, while more than 20,000 of our fellow Nigerians are displaced yet again. These are not just numbers, they are families, children, and communities whose hopes are hanging by a thread.
“Governor Zulum has raised critical concerns: that insurgents are regrouping around Lake Chad and the Mandara Hills; that Marte is on the verge of collapse; and that the window for action is closing. These are facts. And it is not enough to acknowledge them; we must respond with urgency and sincerity.
“We cannot afford to continue this culture of delayed response and distant governance. Our security forces need reinforcements. Our displaced citizens need protection, not promises. And our leaders, particularly at the federal level, must show the will to act swiftly and consistently.
“I have always maintained that Nigeria works best when leadership is driven by compassion, competence, and courage. Governor Zulum has shown all three. The Federal Government must now do the same. If we fail to protect Borno, we fail the idea of Nigeria itself.
“This is not about politics. It is about people. It is about protecting the soul of our nation.
“Let us act quickly, decisively, and justly.”.
In Borno, it was not clear how many others were in the vehicle with the driver before the explosion but security sources claim to be on top of the matter, especially at ensuring that the spate of explosions stop completely.
Recall that two staff members of Damboa Council Education Authority lost their lives last week through IED’s planted along the Damboa Maiduguri highway.
The ladies , name withheld, were commuting to Maiduguri to conclude their registration with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRC) when their vehicle ran over an IED suspected to have been planted by insurgents.
There has not been any pronouncement on the matter but sources alleged that the theatre is investigating further with a bid to bring all criminalities along the Timbuktu triangle to a halt.
Damboa and Chibok are strategic towns South of Borno which are close to the Sambisa Forest, a known abode of terrorists and source of lingering torment to the people of that region.
The people in the area are also prey to the criminals in the Alageno Forest, the spiritual home of the Boko Haram which presence has been of enormous worry to residents and commuters in that region.
