Five ISWAP Bomb Experts Killed During Failed Operation In Borno

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

The incident, which occurred in Maina Daya Village in Marte Local Government Area, was disclosed by a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, who cited intelligence sources familiar with the development.

According to the report, the explosion happened in the remote community located between Sabon Tumbu and Jubilaram, about 29 kilometres east of Monguno, an area that has witnessed repeated insurgent activities in recent years.

Those said to have died in the blast included Usman Dan Fulani, identified as an ISWAP medical officer, alongside two foreign Arab nationals reportedly serving as IED technicians and two other suspected bomb-making experts affiliated with the terrorist group.

“The explosion reportedly occurred while the group was assembling improvised explosive devices for deployment,” the report stated.

Preliminary intelligence, according to Makama, indicated that the suspected insurgents were preparing explosives intended for attacks on key military supply routes within Sector 1 of Operation HADIN KAI, the military’s ongoing counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East.

Security sources quoted in the report assessed that the deaths of the suspected bomb experts could significantly disrupt ISWAP’s explosives production capability and temporarily reduce the group’s capacity to launch roadside IED attacks along the strategic Marte–Monguno corridor.

The loss of experienced bomb makers is considered a setback for the insurgent group, which has frequently relied on improvised explosive devices to target troops, military convoys and civilian motorists across parts of Borno State.

In response to the incident, military authorities have reportedly directed troops to intensify patrols, cordon-and-search operations and offensive missions across the Monguno, Marte and Gamboru Ngala axis to prevent surviving insurgents from regrouping or rebuilding their operational network.

The renewed operations are also aimed at exploiting intelligence generated from the incident while sustaining pressure on terrorist enclaves operating within the Lake Chad region.

Makama further disclosed that security operations remain active in the affected area as authorities continue efforts to verify details surrounding the explosion and assess its operational impact on ISWAP’s activities.

Military sources disclosed that troops have been directed to exploit the development by intensifying patrols, cordon-and-search operations, and precision offensive actions around Monguno, Marte, and Gamboru Ngala to prevent the terrorist group from regrouping or rebuilding its IED capability.

Makama said that the incident highlighted “the persistent threat posed by ISWAP’s use of improvised explosive devices, which remain one of the group’s primary tactics against military convoys and civilian traffic in the North-East.”

The latest incident comes amid sustained counter-terrorism operations by Operation HADIN KAI, with security forces maintaining pressure on ISWAP and Boko Haram factions through intelligence-led offensives, aerial surveillance and ground assaults across the North-East.

Recently, the Nigerian troops destroyed two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along the Gwoza–Wala Road and arrested two suspected terrorist informants at Askira Uba Market.

Security sources disclosed that troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade Garrison discovered the two IEDs at about 8:50 a.m. on August 2 during routine operations between the Golf Bravo and Papa 2 locations along the Gwoza–Wala Road.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was immediately deployed to neutralise the threats. The team subsequently recovered and carried out controlled in-situ detonations of the devices, successfully eliminating the threat without casualties or damage to property.