Five suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have reportedly lost their lives after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated while they were allegedly assembling it in Borno State.
The incident reportedly took place at Maina Daya village in Marte Local Government Area, located between Sabon Tumbu and Jubilaram, approximately 29 kilometres east of Monguno.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, those killed included a man identified as Usman Dan Fulani, who was said to serve as a medical officer for the insurgent group. Also among the dead were two foreign nationals of Arab origin believed to be specialists in IED fabrication, as well as two other suspected bomb-making operatives.
Preliminary intelligence indicates that the explosion occurred during the process of assembling explosive devices allegedly intended for future attacks.
The report further revealed that the explosives were suspected to have been prepared for deployment along strategic military supply routes within the Sector 1 operational area of Operation HADIN KAI.
Security sources believe the incident could significantly affect ISWAP’s bomb-production network in the area and temporarily reduce its ability to launch roadside bomb attacks along the Marte–Monguno corridor.
Following the explosion, military authorities have reportedly ordered troops to step up patrols, conduct extensive cordon-and-search operations, and intensify offensive actions across Monguno, Marte, and Gamboru Ngala to prevent the insurgents from reorganizing.
Security operations remain ongoing as troops continue efforts to confirm details surrounding the incident while maintaining pressure on suspected insurgent hideouts across the region.
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