Another landmines planted by suspected members of dreaded Boko Haram Terrorists have killed two staff of Damboa Local Government Education Authority, LEA in Borno state.
The unfortunate happening is coming less than few hours when the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 15, AIG Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, convened an emergency security stakeholders’ meeting in Maiduguri to address rising security threats, including isolated attacks, banditry, kidnapping, and unregulated movement of people and goods in Borno State.
The incident took place on Monday along the troubled Maiduguri- Damboa -Biu 185km road.
Damboa is in Southern Borno Senatorial District where Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume represent at the national assembly.
Recently several incidents happened along the route leaving scores dead and injured.
Sources and eye witnesses said, “the tragic loss of two dedicated staff members of the Damboa Educational Local Authority, Blessing Luka and Bitaleaf Gedion is very worrisome. They lost their lives in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion along the Damboa to Maiduguri highway on 12/05/2025, after a pick-up Toyota vehicle which conveyed them with fresh mangoes fruits heading to Maiduguri stumbled on the planted landmines.
“This heartbreaking incident occurred as they were traveling to Maiduguri to sit for the TRCN examination scheduled for Friday, 16/05/2025. What was meant to be a journey of professional advancement turned into a devastating tragedy that has shaken the entire community.
“Both individuals were committed educators, serving as class teachers in their respective schools.
“Blessing Luka served at Junior Day New School in Damboa, while Bitaleaf Gedion served at Junior Day Secondary School (UBE) Islamiya, Damboa.
“Their untimely deaths are not only a great loss to the educational sector in Damboa but also a stark reminder of the ongoing insecurity that continues to affect our region”. They lamented.
The District Head of Damboa, Alhaji Zanna Lawan Maina confirmed the incident to our Correspondent on phone, where he also appealed for all and sundry to continue offer prayers for peace to reign in Borno and the country as a whole.
Reacting to the development, Senator Ali Ndume described the renewed attacks as shocking, stressing the need for the federal government and the security agencies to wake up from their slumber.
He said, “Unless and until the federal government provide the needed sophisticated weapons to the security agencies in confronting the insurgents who have advanced far in their modus operandi against frontline troops in the region.
“Let me reiterate that the military must be Trained, Equipped Armed, Motivated (TEAM) to enable them defeat the renewed attacks”.