Tragedy as Landmine blast kills 12 loggers and injures many in Borno

When their car struck a landmine in a region where Boko Haram militants are active in Borno state, close to the Cameroonian border, at least 12 loggers were killed.

This was made public by two NGOs operating in the area on Wednesday, January 31.

According to two reports on the incident obtained by AFP, the NGOs said that on Monday, January 29, while the loggers were en route to gather firewood from the bush, the flat-bed vehicle carrying them rolled over a mine that may have been planted by Boko Haram jihadists on the highway outside Pulka village.

Men thought to be members of Boko Haram explosives that were planted… and along the Pulka to Gwoza highway killed 12 people while injuring many more, according to one of the reports.

Seven additional loggers were hurt, “three of whom are very critical and have been evacuated to Maiduguri for further medical attention,” according to the other source that listed the same toll.

When asked to confirm the detonation, the Nigerian security services remained silent.

Recent mine explosions targeting civilian convoys have increased, and jihadists have been held accountable for them.