Two staff members of the Damboa Local Education Authority were reported to have lost their lives on Monday, following a deadly bomb blast along the Damboa–Maiduguri Highway in Borno State.
The victims, identified as Blessings Luka and Gideon Bitterleaf, were en route from Damboa to Maiduguri, when their vehicle, a Toyota Hiace van loaded with mangoes, hit an improvised explosive device (IED) believed to have been planted by insurgents.
Eyewitnesses reported that both victims were seated in the front of the vehicle and died instantly from the impact of the explosion.
Several other passengers sustained injuries in the incident.
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Local government sources confirmed the identities of the deceased, describing them as committed education officials known for their commitment to improving local schools.
Security forces have since secured the scene, and an investigation is underway to uncover those behind the attack.
Authorities continue to warn travelers to exercise extreme caution in the region, which has witnessed repeated insurgent activity.
At the time of filing this report, no group has come out to claim responsibility for the bombing.