MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – Three police officers were injured on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, when an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by terrorists detonated on the Maiduguri-Damaturu road in Borno State.
The incident occurred near Garin Kuturu village, between Auno and Jakana, at approximately 3 pm, according to intelligence sources cited by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region.
The officers, members of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), were on a routine patrol when their vehicle struck the IED.
The explosion destroyed the patrol vehicle and left a crater measuring three feet deep and five feet wide.
A bomb disposal team, known as the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) unit, was immediately deployed to secure the area and conduct a thorough search for secondary explosives.
The injured officers were rushed to the Borno State Specialist Hospital, where they received medical treatment and were later discharged.
The Maiduguri-Damaturu road, a critical supply route in northeastern Nigeria, has been a frequent target of terrorist attacks.
The incident underscores the persistent threat posed by insurgents in the region, despite ongoing military operations to combat terrorism.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the use of IEDs is a common tactic employed by Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), both of which remain active in the area.
The Nigerian military and security forces have intensified efforts to clear terrorists from the region, but attacks on civilians and security personnel continue to pose significant challenges.
Local residents and commuters have expressed concerns over the safety of the road, calling for increased security measures to prevent further attacks.
The Borno State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
However, the attack highlights the ongoing risks faced by security personnel and civilians in the region, as well as the need for sustained efforts to restore peace and stability.
