Tragedy strikes Yobe as an IED blast kills four, injures 21 near Sambisa Forest.
Locals demand urgent road repairs after recurring attacks expose deep security and infrastructure gaps.
A suspected improvised explosive device (IED) killed at least four people and injured 21 others along the Katarko-Goniri Road in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State on Friday.
The victims were reportedly on their way to the bustling Buniyadi market when their vehicle struck the buried explosive. The blast occurred in Gotala, a community located near the Sambisa Forest, a region long associated with Boko Haram activity over the past fifteen years.
Eyewitnesses revealed that the deadly explosion was not the first along the route. On Thursday, just a day earlier, vigilante and military patrol vehicles had also triggered buried IEDs along the same road, allegedly resulting in multiple casualties, though official figures remain unconfirmed.
The four deceased victims have been buried, while the 21 injured individuals are currently receiving medical attention at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital and the Specialist Hospital in Damaturu.
As of the time of this report, the Nigerian military had not released an official statement regarding the incident. The silence has fueled concern among residents, particularly in light of recurring attacks linked to insurgent operations in the area.
Residents, especially relatives of the victims, are now calling on the Yobe State Government to reconstruct the Katarko-Goniri road. They argue that the current state of the route is enabling insurgents to plant explosives undetected, endangering not only civilians but also military personnel stationed in Goniri.
“The condition of the road is terrible, and that’s what gives these terrorists the opportunity to hide IEDs undisturbed,” said one grieving community member. “We urgently need government intervention to save lives and prevent future tragedies.”
The latest attack adds to growing security concerns in Nigeria’s Northeast, where insurgents continue to pose significant threats despite military efforts to secure the region.
