On April 12, 2025, tragedy struck again along the volatile Maiduguri-Damboa road. An improvised explosive device (IED), reportedly planted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents, detonated and killed at least eight travelers.
Several others sustained varying degrees of injuries. This deadly attack comes amid rising security concerns and conflicting official narratives regarding the true state of affairs in Borno State, the heartland of Nigeria’s long-running insurgency.
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, known for his outspoken and hands-on approach to governance, recently made a stark claim: Borno is once again losing ground to Boki Haram. Zulum, who has survived multiple assassination attempts and has been on the front lines of the conflict, sounded the alarm that the security situation is deteriorating, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas where terrorists are reasserting control.
His comments echoed the growing unease of many Borno residents who have witnessed a resurgence of attacks on roads, villages, and even IDP camps. “We cannot pretend all is well. Our people are dying,” Zulum stated during a press briefing last week.
In swift response, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture issued a strongly worded statement dismissing the governor’s claims.
The Minister, in a widely circulated online news clip, said: “Nigerians should ignore governor Zulum’s statement. It does not reflect the reality on the ground. The military is winning the war.”
This contradiction has ignited a firestorm of public debate. On one hand, Governor Zulum enjoys credibility among many Nigerians for his courage and proximity to the crisis. On the other hand, the Federal Government insists it has made “significant gains” in degrading the capabilities of Boko Haram and ISWAP factions.
Read also: FG, Borno Government disagree on Boko Haram threat
The deadly attack today starkly contrasts the federal narrative. The Maiduguri-Damboa road has long been a flashpoint, previously declared “safe” by security authorities. Yet, this IED incident is a grim reminder that the threat is far from over.
Survivors recount the horror as the explosion ripped through a convoy of civilian vehicles, scattering debris and blood across the highway. Emergency response was slow, highlighting ongoing challenges in rapid rescue operations in insurgency-prone zones.
Who is deceiving who, is the question many Nigerians are now asking. Is governor Zulum exaggerating to draw attention to his state’s plight, or is the federal government whitewashing the truth to protect political interests? Security analysts argue that both narratives serve different agendas but facts on the ground seem to support Zulum’s warning.
Casualties are rising. Villages remain under threat. IDPs are afraid to return home. And insurgents, though weakened, are far from defeated.
At the heart of this conflict is not just the fight against terrorism it’s also a battle over truth and trust. The people of Borno deserve honesty, not propaganda.
They deserve protection, not political finger-pointing. As the blood of innocent travelers stains the sands of the Maiduguri-Damboa road, the question remains: who is deceiving who?
Until that question is answered with action not words, Nigerians, according to some analysts who spoke with The Trumpet, will continue to suffer in the crossfire of both bullets and lies.
