A security analyst, Zagazola Makama, has reported that five suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), including four alleged bomb-making specialists and a medical officer, were killed when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded during assembly in Borno State.
According to Makama, the incident occurred at Maina Daya Village in Marte Local Government Area, between Sabon Tumbu and Jubilaram, about 29 kilometres east of Monguno.
Those reportedly killed included Usman Dan Fulani, identified as an ISWAP medical officer, two foreign Arab nationals believed to be IED technicians, and two other suspected bomb-making experts.
The report said the explosion occurred while the group was assembling improvised explosive devices believed to have been intended for attacks along key military supply routes within the Sector 1 area of Operation HADIN KAI.
Preliminary intelligence indicated that the failed operation may have disrupted planned attacks and temporarily weakened the insurgent group’s capacity to carry out roadside bomb attacks in the Marte–Monguno corridor.
Following the incident, military authorities reportedly directed troops to intensify patrols, cordon-and-search operations and offensive missions across Monguno, Marte and Gamboru Ngala to prevent the insurgents from regrouping or rebuilding their operational capability.
Makama added that security operations remain ongoing as troops continue to verify the incident and sustain pressure on insurgent hideouts across the affected areas.
