MAIDUGURI–DAMBOA ROAD: THE TREACHEROUS CORRIDOR.
Before I begin, let me make it clear that nothing in this account is confidential or in violation of Operational Security. The reputation of the Maiduguri–Damboa road is well known to locals, traders, travelers, and anyone familiar with this treacherous corridor.
The Maiduguri–Damboa road is of immense economic importance to Borno State. Livestock, charcoal, firewood, beans, groundnuts, watermelons, and countless other goods move along this corridor into Maiduguri every day. In the opposite direction, traders transport supplies from Maiduguri to Damboa and onward to towns such as Chibok, Askira-Uba, Biu, Gonori, and several others.
However, sustained insurgent attacks turned the road into one of the most dangerous routes in the region. Many travelers abandoned it entirely, choosing longer and safer alternatives through Yobe State.
After major clearance operations, the road was reopened to commuters, but it wasn’t a free-for-all. Every vehicle moving between Maiduguri and Damboa had to join a military-escorted convoy.
Military deployments were established along the corridor to maintain a permanent presence, secure different sections of the route, support convoy operations, and reassure travelers that the road could once again be used for daily life and commerce.
All vehicles traveling from Maiduguri to Damboa on a daily basis were required to assemble into convoys at Molai, a village just outside Maiduguri. A popular local known as “Ci muci” was appointed to coordinate the civilians ahead of movement and assist with the convoy assembly process.
Trucks loaded with produce, commercial vehicles, private cars, traders, families, and travelers would begin gathering there, waiting to be searched before the day’s movement.
My formation, 192 Echo Company, was deployed at Delwa, beyond Molai, as a Forward Operating Base. Part of our task was to secure a section of the corridor and support convoy operations.
Every morning, we’d move back to Molai to link up with the convoy before movement. We served as the rear escort team. We’d also use that opportunity to scan known hotspots between Delwa and Molai before the movement commenced.
Other formations occupied key locations such as Kumala and Bulabulin, securing major threat areas along the route, while Damboa served as the final convergence point for the convoy system.
Vehicles arriving from Damboa were searched before continuing to Maiduguri. On days when our convoy from Maiduguri experienced delays, 25TF escort teams sometimes moved the Damboa convoy as far as Bulabulin, where we’d conduct convoy exchanges to ensure travelers from Damboa could continue their journey to Maiduguri before nightfall.
It’s important to understand the environment in which all of this took place.
By this time, most of the villages between Molai and Damboa had been sacked by Boko Haram.
Entire communities had disappeared.
On many stretches of the road, the only people you were likely to encounter were soldiers manning isolated positions, the occasional escapee from captivity, or someone whose presence raised more questions than answers.
That was the reality of the Maiduguri–Damboa corridor.
Ehn ehn….Now that I’ve given you the background, let’s talk about these pictures.
Picture One
The first frame shows what would typically be the second half of a convoy movement. On some days, a convoy could consist of anywhere between 80 and 120 vehicles.
To avoid slowing down the movement, the heavy trucks were usually released first under escort by gun trucks and Armoured Personnel Carriers. The smaller vehicles would follow later and eventually catch up with the truck convoy.
If a truck broke down along the route, occupants could be evacuated into the smaller vehicles, ensuring nobody is left stranded on the road.
If you zoom into the picture, you’ll notice a white Hilux leading part of the convoy. Those were the men of F-SARS who were also involved in
SUPPORT NIGERIA SECURITY FORCES
Apostle Johnson Suleman, Pastor of Omega Fire Ministries, has praised the Nigerian Military, Police & DSS, describing them as some of the best security forces in the worldwide. He acknowledges the security challenges & also offers solutions
COUNTERTERRORISM: Air component Op HadinKai carried out series of precision strikes on key terrorists locations in the NE. Over 55 terrorists were eliminated including 3 key commanders. BDA footage will be updated once available.
Solid proactive measures, especially actionable intelligence, are the most effective way to contain this terrorism plague.
Throwing men and resources at attacks after they occur don’t usually achieve as much.
We only end up risking lives, expending resources, and losing the already almost non-existent public trust in the process.
Bandits will gather to pray today.
Nigerian airforce pls dont lose this window to bomb them and everyone that gathers to pray with them.
If anyone survives.
Bomb them again when they gather to bury their dead.
Bandits, Boko Haram, JNIM and ISWAP will showcase their Eid ground today and tomorrow respectively, I sincerely hope the security forces can do something nice.
Air power does not stand alone. Behind every successful mission, NAF Regiment troops remain vigilant on the ground, securing air bases, protecting aircraft and critical assets, and ensuring the Nigerian Air Force can operate effectively at all times. Quietly professional and always mission ready, they are the protective force that keeps air power alive, well projected, and effective.
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