April 12, (THEWILL) – At least eight people lost their lives and others sustained varying degrees of injuries when a commercial bus stepped on landmines along Maiduguri-Damboa road, Saturday morning.
THEWILL learnt that the incident occurred at about 11:45 am in the Damboa local government area of the state.
According to a motorist, Baba Musty, the Hummer bus was damaged beyond repair due to the magnitude of the explosive devices.
“I was coming from Damboa to Maiduguri, we got to certain locations when soldiers stopped us to wait for them to conduct clearance of the general areas. Eight passengers lost their lives and others severely wounded, but they have been evacuated to Maiduguri Specialist Hospital.”
Muhammad Aji, a local vigilante in Damboa, also told THEWILL by phone that a commercial bus rammed into landmines buried by suspected Boko-Haram terrorists at Gidan Kaji, some 30 kilometres away from Damboa.
When contacted, Kenneth Daso, the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), the state police public relations officer, said he was not aware but promised to get back: “I am still gathering a report about the incident.”
Meanwhile, the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, paid a sympathetic visit to the wounded at the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri, where they are currently receiving treatment.
