The blood-soaked stretch of the Maiduguri–Damboa road has once again made headlines—this time with the tragic deaths of eight passengers and 21 others injured after a passenger bus struck an IED near Komala Village. The devastating April 12 attack has reignited urgent calls for the federal government to rehabilitate the critical highway and enhance military capabilities in Borno State.
A crucial link between Maiduguri and southern Borno, the road has become a deadly trap—littered with potholes and surrounded by insurgent hideouts. Boko Haram and ISWAP militants have long used the dilapidated terrain to plant explosives and ambush both military and civilian travelers. A journey that once lasted one hour now drags into six, turning every trip into a gamble with death.
Security stakeholders have repeatedly warned that the road’s poor state makes it an easy target for terrorists. The absence of consistent military escort further amplifies the threat, as evidenced by the recent attack where the passengers traveled unescorted.
The military, battling in difficult terrain, is hampered by crumbling infrastructure and the constant threat of IEDs. Mines-Resistant Vehicles (MRVs) and other advanced equipment are desperately needed to protect troops and ensure operational success. Without them, insurgents continue to dictate movement and strike at will.
Governor Babagana Zulum has called for intensified route surveillance, better clearance operations, and the deployment of mine detection vehicles. His plea underscores the road’s dual importance—as a lifeline for civilians and a strategic corridor for counter-insurgency efforts.
Until urgent steps are taken—rehabilitating the road, boosting military logistics, and investing in advanced anti-IED technologies—both civilians and soldiers remain exposed. The Maiduguri–Damboa highway is more than a road; it’s a battlefield that needs immediate government attention.
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