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 died after an explosive device detonated while they were assembling bombs in Borno State.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the incident happened at Maina Daya Village in Marte Local Government Area, between Sabon Tumbu and Jubilaram, about 29 kilometres east of Monguno.
Security sources said those killed included Usman Dan Fulani, who was identified as an ISWAP medical officer, two foreign Arab IED technicians and two other bomb-making experts linked to the group.
The explosion reportedly occurred while the suspects were preparing improvised explosive devices believed to have been intended for future 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, noting that the loss of experienced bomb makers could temporarily reduce the group’s ability to carry out roadside bomb attacks around the Marte-Monguno axis.
Following the incident, troops of Operation HADIN KAI have reportedly been directed to intensify patrols, cordon-and-search operations and targeted offensives around Monguno, Marte and Gamboru Ngala to prevent the terrorist group from regrouping or rebuilding its bomb-making network.
