A suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) claimed the lives of at least four individuals and injured no fewer than 21 others on Friday along the Katarko-Goniri Road in the Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

The victims were reportedly en route to the well-known Buniyadi market when their vehicle triggered the suspected IED.

Naijaonpoint learnt that the remains of the four deceased individuals have been taken home for burial, while the others are currently receiving medical care at a specialist hospital and the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital in Damaturu, respectively.

The Gotala community, where the incident occurred, is situated on the outskirts of the Sambisa forest, an area where suspected Boko Haram insurgents have been active for the past fifteen years.

According to Daily Post, eyewitnesses who spoke to reporters indicated that vigilantes and military vehicles had also driven over the concealed IED on Thursday along the same route, resulting in numerous casualties.

However, as of the time of this report, the military has not yet released a statement.

In the meantime, the relatives of the victims have urged the Yobe State Government to urgently repair the deteriorating road to prevent further incidents involving insurgents, as the lives of local communities and the military presence in Goniri are at significant risk.