Tragedy in Borno: Nine Killed in Mairari Village Bomb Blast as Boko Haram Strikes Again

 

In a tragic and deeply disturbing incident that highlights the ongoing security crisis in Nigeria’s North-East, at least nine people have been confirmed dead following a deadly explosion in Mairari village, located in Guzamala Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State. The blast, caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted at a local bus stop, occurred around 11 a.m. on Saturday. Several other villagers were seriously injured and have since been rushed to hospitals in Monguno and Maiduguri for urgent medical attention.

A Community Reeling From Loss: Mairari Under Attack Again

According to local sources, the attack occurred as innocent residents of Mairari village gathered at a bus stop, waiting to board commercial vehicles that would take them back to Monguno, Guzamala, and Maiduguri. These residents were mostly internally displaced persons (IDPs) who had recently returned to their ancestral village in hopes of rebuilding their lives through farming and small-scale businesses. Many had spent years in displacement camps, enduring hardship and hoping for peace to return.

However, the promise of peace was once again shattered when insurgents reportedly planted deadly explosives in the path of unsuspecting civilians.

The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, confirmed the tragic incident on Sunday, condemning the attack and offering condolences to the victims’ families.

“It is unfortunate that nine of my resilient constituents were killed by planted IEDs while waiting to board vehicles at a local bus stop in Mairari village,” he said.

“May Allah grant their souls Aljanatul Firdaus. I also pray for the swift recovery of those evacuated to hospitals in Monguno and Maiduguri for treatment following the incident.”

Victims Were Returnees and Farmers Trying to Rebuild

Speaker Abdulkarim Lawan went on to reveal that many of the victims were recent returnees and displaced persons who had gone back to Mairari to engage in farming, a vital livelihood for many in this region. They had returned under a state-led resettlement programme, which aimed to restore civil life to communities previously overrun by Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) insurgents.

According to Lawan, the people of Mairari had been living in hope, as some semblance of civil authority had been re-established in the area in recent months. But that fragile peace was disrupted again by this latest attack.

“Mairari had previously been resettled with civil authority,” Lawan explained.
“But it has once again become deserted due to attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP.”

Insurgents Monitoring Villager Movements

In a chilling detail, Lawan disclosed that the explosives were strategically planted by insurgents who had been monitoring the villagers’ movements. The IEDs were reportedly hidden at the bus stop—a known congregation point for villagers heading to and from their temporary shelters.

“Insurgents, who had been monitoring the movement of the villagers, planted the explosives at the bus stop,” he said.
“The IEDs exploded while people were waiting to board commercial vehicles back to their temporary shelters in Monguno, Guzamala, and Maiduguri.”

This tactic of tracking and targeting civilians has become a dangerous hallmark of extremist groups operating in Nigeria’s North-East. By focusing on soft targets like civilians and transportation hubs, insurgents continue to spread fear and undermine confidence in government-led resettlement efforts.

Call for Increased Military Action in Guzamala

The Speaker did not mince words in calling for urgent military intervention in Guzamala LGA, especially in Mairari and Gudumbali, the local government’s headquarters. Lawan lamented that these communities are still under the effective control of Boko Haram and ISWAP, with no visible presence of civil authority or military forces to protect lives and property.

“I call on the Nigerian military to intensify efforts to restore security in Guzamala, particularly in Mairari and Gudumbali,” he urged.
“These areas remain under Boko Haram control with no presence of civil authority.”

Lawan’s call is not new but adds to the growing frustration among residents and leaders in Borno State. Despite multiple military operations over the years, large swathes of northern Borno remain high-risk zones, dominated by terror groups who continue to terrorize and kill at will.

Police Awaiting Full Details

In response to inquiries, Nahum Daso, the spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, acknowledged the incident but said they were still gathering details. He promised that the police would provide updates as more verified information becomes available.

“We have yet to receive full details of the incident,” Daso noted,
“but we will provide updates as more information becomes available.”

A Painful Reminder of the Boko Haram Insurgency

The deadly explosion in Mairari village is a painful reminder that the Boko Haram insurgency, now in its 15th year, continues to claim innocent lives across Borno and neighboring states. Since 2009, tens of thousands have died, and millions have been displaced, turning the region into one of the world’s most protracted humanitarian crises.

Even with the military’s repeated claims of success, terrorist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP have continued to evolve their tactics, using IEDs, ambushes, kidnappings, and soft target attacks to maintain a deadly presence. Villages like Mairari, caught in the margins of the government’s authority, remain especially vulnerable.

The Human Cost of Insecurity

While statistics often dominate news reports, the human cost of such violence cannot be overstated. The victims of Saturday’s bombing were ordinary Nigerians, hoping to find normalcy in a land repeatedly ravaged by terror. They were farmers, mothers, fathers, children—people with dreams and families.

Their deaths are not just numbers; they represent a continuing failure to fully secure Nigeria’s borders and communities from those who seek to destroy its fabric.

What Needs to Happen Next

In light of this tragedy, it is clear that urgent steps must be taken:

1. Security Reinforcement: The Nigerian military and police must deploy more forces to Guzamala LGA and other high-risk areas.

2. Improved Intelligence Gathering: There is a need for better surveillance and community-based intelligence to detect threats before they strike.

3. Support for Victims: Survivors of the blast and bereaved families must receive medical, psychological, and financial support.

4. Review of Resettlement Plans: Government agencies must re-evaluate the safety of returnee communities before relocating displaced persons.

Final Thoughts: Peace Still a Distant Dream for Mairari

The attack in Mairari is not just a security incident—it is a symbol of the unrelenting challenges faced by communities in Borno State. As long as terrorists can plant explosives in public areas without detection, the hope of a peaceful return to normal life remains fragile.

At NaijaRush, we join the Speaker of the Borno House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, in mourning the lives lost and calling for immediate action. As Nigeria continues to battle terrorism, we urge all stakeholders—from the military to the presidency—to act decisively and restore dignity, safety, and peace to every corner of Borno.

“May Allah grant their souls Aljanatul Firdaus,” Lawan prayed.
“And may peace return to Guzamala and all of Borno State.”