Suspected Boko Haram, ISWAP intercept trucks carrying food items to Borno

Suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) fighters have intercepted another fleet of trucks transporting beans from Monguno to Maiduguri, further worsening insecurity along major supply routes in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.

The latest attack occurred around 9:30am on Saturday between Burmari and Garin Kashim villages, near Burmari community, eyewitnesses and security sources confirmed.

The incident came five days after insurgents intercepted and set ablaze a trailer and three dump trucks conveying maize and building materials to Monguno and Mairari villages, also in Guzamala LGA.

One of the affected drivers said the attackers were believed to be the same group responsible for the earlier attack.

“We ran into them close to Burmari. They blocked two trailers and three dump trucks. I abandoned my vehicle and escaped into the bush. We were transporting beans to Maiduguri when the insurgents struck,” the driver said.

He added that the insurgents set the trailer heads on fire before disappearing into the surrounding bush.

Another witness disclosed that the terrorists deflated the tyres of the vehicles before setting them ablaze, but swift action by local residents helped prevent total destruction.

“Some of the drivers who escaped mobilised people from the community and put out the fire before it spread to the trailer bodies,” the witness said.

Drivers and truck owners have continued to express concern over the absence of security presence along the affected stretch of road.

“If you are travelling towards Gwoza, soldiers are stationed at dangerous points. But on this road, there is no security. That is why these attacks keep happening,” one driver lamented.

He added that many transporters have now withdrawn their vehicles from the route due to repeated attacks and rising risks.

A security source told our correspondent that the insurgents have deliberately resorted to targeting commercial trucks to frustrate government efforts aimed at resettling displaced communities along the corridor.

“The military has already established a base in the area to protect Internally Displaced Persons willing to return to their ancestral homes,” the source said.

The renewed attacks come amid heightened security concerns in Guzamala, where 17 people were killed by insurgents in Abbari village on February 1, 2026.

Meanwhile, the Borno State Government recently repatriated over 3,000 refugees from Cameroon, many of whom are currently awaiting military clearance before being resettled in their communities.

One of the targeted areas is Mairari, described by security sources as part of the ungoverned territories still under ISWAP control.

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