Commercial drivers, motorists and passengers urge the government to open highway, saying more traffic on the road might deter insurgents from planting deadly landmines.

A recent landmine attack on the Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu highway in Borno State, in Nigeria’s northeast, has sparked widespread concern and calls for improved security measures.

The attack, suspected of being carried out by the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS), more commonly referred to as Boko Haram, occurred on Saturday, April 12, and claimed the lives of eight people, injuring several others.

The driver of the commercial bus – who also lost his life – drove over a concealed improvised explosive device, detonating it.

Demands for improved security

Commercial drivers, motorists and passengers are urging the Borno State government and the military to implement adequate security measures and end the partial closure of the Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu highway.

They believe that if the road were fully reopened for daily traffic of goods and people, there would be fewer landmine attacks.

“If there is frequent movement on the road, Boko Haram and ISWAP [Islamic State West Africa Provine] fighter will not get time to plant IRDs,” one driver said.

Drivers’ concerns

Modu Manga and Bakura, two commercial drivers, said they were extremely concerned about the frequent attacks by insurgents on Borno’s roads.

“The military’s decision to open the road only twice a week allows insurgents to plant bombs and prepare for attacks on the days it is not open,” Bakura said. “Innocent people are dying.

“We are appealing to the military to open the road fully for frequent movement, which will help reduce insurgent attacks.”

Fear and panic among passengers

Passengers travelling on the highway said the latest attack had left them “gripped with fear and panic”.

Ba Mala told Ndarason that he had travelled on the highway two days after the attack.

“Even though we were being escorted by military and other security operatives, we were terrified we might also drive over a planted landmine.

“All of us are seriously panicked by the attack. When we reached Molai town, our families and relatives started calling us to confirm that we were safe.”

Economic impact

The Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu highway is a vital road linking Maiduguri and local government areas in southern Borno, facilitating the movement of goods and traders.

Alhaji Bukar Dalori, a trader who often travels on the Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu highway, emphasised the importance of the road for business activities and trading, despite the risks.

“The Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu highway has been a death trap for many years due to incessant attacks … We often travel on this road even though it is one of the scariest roads. I was on this road just a few days after the attack. It is frightening because there have been frequent attacks and bomb blasts – and they seem to be escalating.”

Dalori said the government had to balance security concerns with the need for economic activity and freedom of movement for its citizens.

Government response

The Borno State government has urged the federal government and military to reopen the highway fully to allow the free movement of goods and passengers.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum visited the injured victims at the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.

He assured them that they would receive free medical care and he gave ₦50,000 to each of the victims as compensation.

“It is regrettable that it is happening at this time. Since last year or so, we have not witnessed an improvised explosive device attack. The road was closed for about one month and I believe this is one of the reasons the insurgents had the luxury of planting an IED,” Zulum said.

“I urge the Nigerian military and other security agencies to beef up surveillance along the road so that such incidents do not happen again.”

The deadly blast occurred just days after Zulum held a special expanded security meeting to discuss the escalation of attacks by JAS and its offshoot, ISWAP.

At the meeting, held on Tuesday, April 8, at State Government House in Maiduguri, Zulum conceded that the state was “losing ground” to JAS and ISWAP.

Shettima Lawan Monguno