At least 26 civilians, including women and children, were killed in a deadly improvised explosive device (IED) attack on Monday along the volatile Rann–Gamboru Ngala road in Borno State. Three others sustained severe injuries as explosions ripped through a convoy of civilian vehicles traveling from Kala Balge Local Government Area (LGA) toward Gamboru Ngala.
Explosives were strategically planted along the route and detonated as vehicles passed, causing catastrophic damage.
26 confirmed dead, with survivors suffering shrapnel wounds and burns.
Emergency teams evacuated victims, while security forces cordoned off the area for clearance operations to root out additional threats.
“The convoy had no idea they were entering a death trap. The IEDs were hidden to maximize carnage. It was a scene of utter devastation—vehicles torn apart, bodies scattered.”
The Rann-Gamboru corridor, a critical but perilous link in Borno’s northeast, has long been a hotspot for insurgent activity. Attacks on civilian convoys highlight the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) factions, who routinely target travelers and aid convoys.
This attack underscores the fragile security situation in Borno despite military gains. Civilians remain caught in the crossfire, with roads essential for food and aid delivery transformed into deadly gauntlets. This road is a lifeline for our people. Now it’s a graveyard. When will this end?” Nigerian asked
The injured has been evacuated to hospitals in Maiduguri and Gamboru Ngala.
Troops are combing the area for remaining explosives and insurgent hideouts.
This attack marks one of the deadliest IED strikes in Borno this year. Authorities urge civilians to avoid non-essential travel on high-risk routes
Credit: Zagazola Makama
