Brief – A civilian joint task force (CJTF) member and a vigilante were wounded on Thursday, March 2, when they drove over an improvised explosive device (IED) along the Maiduguri-Damboa highway.

A CJTF member, who asked to remain anonymous, told RNI reporter Fanna Usman that members the force and vigilantes were accompanying travellers when one of their vehicles drove over the explosive device.

“The bomb was buried beside the road. No other vehicles were involved and no passengers were injured. The wounded men are receiving treatment in hospital.

“There have been frequent bomb blasts on the road, particularly in the area close to Bulabulin village. In February alone there were at least seven to eight explosions. We suspect the bomb was planted by ISWAP [Islamic State West Africa Province] insurgents.

“We are calling on the government to provide more security on the road to ensure the safety of the public. We will conduct further searches for IEDs today [Friday],” he said.

AISHA SD JAMAL