At Least 26 Killed in Nigeria Bomb Blast Near Cameroon Border

At least 26 people, including women and children, were killed when a truck hit an improvised explosive device in northeast Nigeria.

The blast occurred on Monday in Borno State, close to the border with Cameroon.
The region has long been a flashpoint for violence by insurgent groups including Boko Haram and ISWAP.

Military sources confirmed the death toll and said three more people were critically injured.

The truck was reportedly travelling between Rann and Gamboru Ngala when it hit the explosive device.

The International NGO Safety Organisation confirmed the route and incident in an internal security alert.

One witness, Akram Saad, said he helped bury the victims, many of whom were burned beyond recognition.

A video circulating online shows rows of bodies in white bags lined up at Rann General Hospital.

A military officer told AFP that the dead included 16 men, four women and six children.

Borno State police have not issued an official comment on the deadly blast.
No group has claimed responsibility, but locals suspect Boko Haram was behind the attack.

Abba Amma Muhammad, who lost his mother, blamed the Islamist group for the explosion.

Boko Haram has been waging an insurgency in northeast Nigeria for 15 years.
Over 40,000 people have died in the conflict, with millions more displaced across the region.

Although Nigerian officials claim the group is largely defeated, attacks continue to surge.

ISWAP, a splinter faction, remains active in northern Borno and frequently targets convoys.

Violence in northeast Nigeria has spiked recently, with the death toll exceeding 50 this week.

Boko Haram militants reportedly killed 10 vigilantes from the Civilian Joint Task Force on Monday.
Last Thursday, 14 farmers were killed in Borno’s Gwoza district in another suspected Boko Haram attack.
The increasing attacks suggest renewed momentum by extremist groups in the region.

Borno Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has voiced concern over growing insurgent control.

He told defence officials on Friday that militants are regaining ground in key hideouts.

The Lake Chad islands, Sambisa Forest, and Mandara mountains have become strongholds again.

Zulum cited “military setbacks” as a key factor behind the terrorists’ resurgence.