Six students from the Tsangaya Quranic Centre in Gubio town lost their lives due to an explosion caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near the school. The incident occurred on Saturday when a metal scavenger unknowingly collected and stored various metallic items in a building close to the Tsangaya school.
Unfortunately, the IED, which had been abandoned among other scrap metals, detonated at around 2 pm, resulting in the tragic loss of lives and causing severe injuries to other students.
It is important to note that metal scavenging had been prohibited in Borno State since July 2023 due to reports of vandalism of government facilities in abandoned communities. Governor Babagana Zulum had justified this prohibition, highlighting the dangers faced by scavengers who venture into deserted areas to steal items.
This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by insurgent attacks in the region, as evidenced by the recent killing of two repentant Boko Haram insurgents by an IED planted by the terrorist group.
The Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) continue to carry out sporadic ambushes and plant landmines along highways, posing a significant security concern. The violence perpetrated by these jihadist groups has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and the displacement of millions of people since 2009.
