A deadly explosion along the Rann–Kala Balge–Gamboru Ngala highway has claimed at least 26 lives in northeastern Nigeria, authorities confirmed Tuesday morning.
The blast, caused by a concealed improvised explosive device (IED), also left three people seriously injured.
The incident occurred Monday when a convoy of civilian vehicles traveling from Rann in Kala Balge Local Government Area struck a series of hidden IEDs planted along the route.
The explosion ripped through the convoy, killing dozens instantly and damaging multiple vehicles.
According to Zagazola Makama, a publication specializing in counter-insurgency operations in the Lake Chad region, the bombs were strategically placed and triggered by vehicle movement.
Emergency responders were quickly dispatched to the scene to evacuate casualties and provide immediate medical aid.
READ ALSO: Boko Haram Kills 23, Including Women, Children in Borno
Survivors were transferred to nearby hospitals for further treatment.
In response, security forces have sealed off the affected stretch of road and launched clearance operations to search for additional threats.
The military is also working to trace those responsible for planting the explosives.
The attack comes just days after Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening security in Borno and other conflict-affected regions.
The minister said the government is investing in better equipment and resources for troops battling insurgency in the northeast.
This latest incident adds to the growing concern over persistent threats from armed groups operating across Borno State, despite ongoing military operations.