By Jelili Gbadamosi
Zagazola Makama, a security analyst, 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 after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated while they were assembling it in Borno State.
The explosion reportedly occurred at Maina Daya Village in Marte Local Government Area, between Sabon Tumbu and Jubilaram, about 29 kilometres east of Monguno.
According to Makama, those 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.
He said the device exploded while the group was preparing 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, according to the report, indicates that the suspected insurgents were planning fresh attacks before the accidental explosion disrupted the operation.
Security sources believe the incident has dealt a significant setback to ISWAP’s explosives network and could temporarily reduce the group’s capacity to carry out roadside IED attacks along 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 are ongoing as authorities continue efforts to verify the circumstances surrounding the explosion and sustain pressure on insurgent hideouts across the area.
