Iliyasu Abdullahi Bah
The Nigerian Army has shut down the busy Damaturu–Maiduguri highway following a deadly insurgent attack on a military Super Camp in Ngamdu, Yobe State, late Thursday night.
Security sources told reporters that the road was sealed off in the early hours of Friday as troops launched a massive “cordon and search” operation to track down the fleeing attackers and secure the area.
The Damaturu–Maiduguri highway serves as a vital economic and strategic link between Yobe and Borno States, both at the heart of the country’s battle against insurgency. The sudden closure has left hundreds of commuters, traders, and commercial vehicles stranded on both ends of the route.
According to eyewitnesses, military personnel mounted barricades near Ngamdu and ordered all vehicles to turn back for safety reasons. Many passengers traveling from Damaturu to Maiduguri have reportedly been stuck for hours without clear information on when movement will resume.
A senior military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the measure was necessary to prevent further attacks and to allow security forces to comb the area.
“This is a precautionary action. Our troops are conducting clearance operations around Ngamdu and nearby communities to ensure there are no remnants of the attackers. The road will only reopen once we are certain it’s safe,” the source said.
The military has urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with security operatives, warning that travel delays may persist until the operation is completed. No official casualty figure has been released from the Ngamdu attack as of press time.
Meanwhile, economic activities and intercity transport across the Northeast have been disrupted, as the Damaturu–Maiduguri corridor remains the main route linking several communities to Borno State’s capital.
Authorities are yet to announce when normal traffic flow will resume.