The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has released a photo of a suspected suicide bomber identified as Abu Hafsah al-Ansari, claiming he carried out an attack on a Nigerian Army forward operating position in Sambisa Forest, Borno State.
The terrorist group stated that the assault targeted troops from the 21 Special Armoured Brigade during recent clearance operations aimed at dislodging insurgents and destroying their hideouts in sections of the dense forest.
ISWAP claimed the attack left approximately 30 soldiers either killed or wounded.
The incident reportedly occurred over the weekend as the troops conducted operations in the area.
The release of the photo and claim comes amid ongoing military efforts in the North-East to counter insurgency, despite persistent attacks by groups like ISWAP and Boko Haram on security formations and communities.
Last year, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency on security to address the rising breakdown of law and order across the country, though terrorist and bandit groups continue to operate in parts of the North-East and North-West.
