Five suspected ISWAP fighters killed in Borno explosion

Five suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have been killed following a premature explosion while assembling improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Borno State.

The incident reportedly occurred in Maina Daya village in Marte Local Government Area, a location situated between Sabon Tumbu and Jubilaram, about 29 kilometres east of Monguno.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the explosion happened while the suspected fighters were preparing explosive devices for deployment.

Security sources cited by the publication said one of those killed was Usman Dan Fulani, identified as an ISWAP medical officer. The sources added that two foreign IED technicians and two other suspected bomb-making specialists were also among the casualties.

The development has raised concerns that the group may have been planning attacks along key military supply routes within Sector 1 of Operation HADIN KAI.

Security analysts noted that the loss of experienced bomb-makers could temporarily weaken ISWAP’s ability to carry out roadside bomb attacks, particularly along the Marte-Monguno axis.

In response, military authorities have reportedly directed troops to intensify patrols, cordon-and-search operations, and targeted offensives around Monguno, Marte, and Gamboru Ngala, in a bid to prevent the group from regrouping or rebuilding its IED capability.