April 29, (THEWILL) – No fewer than 20 people, including women and children, were feared dead on Monday after vehicles travelling from Rann to Gamboru Ngala struck landmines suspected to have been planted by insurgents in Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources said the incident occurred around 11:00 a.m. along the Furunduma axis, about 11 kilometres from Rann, the headquarters of Kala-Balge, leaving a trail of devastation among families.
According to local sources, the casualties included four women, six children, and more than a dozen young men.
“A total of 24 persons lost their lives — 14 men, four women, and six children,” one source said.
“In addition, three women and an unspecified number of children sustained injuries in the blast.”
Another source confirmed that some of the wounded had been evacuated to Gamboru Ngala for further medical attention, while two others were receiving treatment at the Rann General Hospital.
A member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the magnitude of the explosion caused the immediate death of over 20 people.
As of the time of filing this report, an official statement from security agencies had yet to be issued, and further details remain sketchy.
