The Urgent Need for FG Rehabilitation Damboa Road and Enhanced Military Support To End Insecurity

By: Zagazola Makama

The recent Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack on the Maiduguri–Damboa road, which tragically resulted in the deaths of eight innocent passengers and left 21 others injured, underscores a critical issue: the deteriorating condition of this vital highway exacerbates the threats posed by insurgents in Borno State. This incident, which occurred near Komala Village, highlights the dangers of traversing this route without military escort and emphasizes the urgent need for the federal government to prioritize the rehabilitation of the road.

The Maiduguri–Damboa road serves as a crucial link between Maiduguri and the southern regions of Borno State and has long been susceptible to terrorist attacks. Its proximity to key insurgent hideouts and heavily forested areas, which serve as operational bases for Boko Haram and ISWAP, makes it a target for these groups. For years, insurgents have strategically planted IEDs along this route, targeting both military convoys and civilian vehicles. The road’s deterioration has further facilitated these deadly attacks.

What was once a one-hour journey now stretches to nearly six hours due to the poor road conditions. Potholes and crumbling infrastructure not only impede travel but also create ideal conditions for insurgents to plant explosives undetected. This situation was tragically illustrated on April 12, when a passenger bus struck an IED along the road, leading to devastating loss of life. Though, they traveled without escort, which even exposed to more danger.

Various security stakeholders been vocal about the road’s deteriorating state. insurgents have exploited its poor condition and with the road which continue to remained in disrepair, it has become a prime target for insurgents seeking to instill fear and disrupt transportation.

The lack of adequate infrastructure in the region poses risks not only to civilians but also to military personnel stationed there. While the Nigerian military continues to combat Boko Haram and ISWAP, it operates under increasingly challenging conditions, with poor road networks complicating troop movement and supply deliveries. The state of the roads significantly impacts the military’s ability to maintain security and conduct essential operations effectively.

In addition to infrastructural challenges, IEDs represent a major threat to military operations. Insurgents have become adept at planting these devices in strategic locations, and the deterioration of roads such as Maiduguri–Damboa enhances their capacity to carry out attacks. The military’s ability to execute operations, particularly in clearing insurgent strongholds, is severely hampered by the persistent threat of IEDs. These explosives pose an existential risk to troops and hinder progress in combating insurgency.

The Nigerian military, while striving to perform under difficult conditions, urgently requires more sophisticated equipment to counter the IED threat. Mines-resistant vehicles (MRVs) and other anti-IED technologies are essential for providing troops with the protection needed during operations. These vehicles are specifically designed to withstand the impact of explosive devices, offering soldiers much-needed security while patrolling volatile regions. With the right equipment, troops would be better positioned to neutralize insurgents, safely clear IEDs, and respond to threats with greater precision.

The federal government must prioritize the acquisition of advanced mines-resistant technologies, such as MRVs, to safeguard the lives of military personnel. In addition to these vehicles, investing in mine detection systems, bomb disposal units, and advanced surveillance technologies will enable the military to conduct operations with greater ease and efficiency. Equipping troops with these tools would significantly enhance their safety, improve operational success, and provide a more effective counter-insurgency strategy in light of the growing IED threat.

Governor Zulum has called for enhanced surveillance and more effective clearance operations to secure the road. He also emphasized the importance of regular route clearance patrols and the use of mine detection vehicles (MDVs) to neutralize threats. The federal government should prioritize the rehabilitation of this vital route, which serves not only as a lifeline for the people of Borno but also as a critical corridor for military operations.

As the situation currently stands, traveling along the Maiduguri–Damboa road without proper security escort remains perilous. Until the road is adequately rehabilitated and consistently monitored, both civilians and military personnel must exercise extreme caution. The journey that once took an hour can now extend to six hours, leaving passengers and military forces exposed to deadly attacks. Urgent action is required to ensure that the road is safe for both the local population and the troops tasked with their protection.

Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region

The Urgent Need for FG Rehabilitation Damboa Road and Enhanced Military Support To End Insecurity