Explosion Kills Five Suspected ISWAP Bomb-Makers in Borno

Five suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), including an alleged medical officer and four improvised explosive device (IED) specialists, have reportedly been killed in a premature explosion while assembling explosives in Borno State.

The incident occurred at Maina Daya Village in Marte Local Government Area, between Sabon Tumbu and Jubilaram, about 29 kilometres east of Monguno.

Security sources, including security analyst Zagazola Makama, said the explosion happened while the insurgents were allegedly preparing IEDs for deployment.

Among those reportedly killed were Usman Dan Fulani, identified by the sources as an ISWAP medical officer, two foreign Arab IED technicians, and two other bomb-making experts affiliated with the group.

The sources said the explosives were believed to have been intended for attacks along military supply routes within the Sector 1 area of Operation HADIN KAI.

Security analysts described the incident as a major setback for ISWAP's bomb-making network, noting that the loss of experienced IED specialists could temporarily reduce the group's capacity to carry out roadside bomb attacks in the Marte-Monguno axis.

Following the development, military sources said troops of Operation HADIN KAI have been directed to intensify patrols, conduct cordon-and-search operations, and launch precision offensives around Monguno, Marte, and Gamboru Ngala to prevent the insurgents from regrouping and rebuilding their IED capability.