By Paul Joseph
At least five suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), including an alleged medical officer and four bomb-making specialists, have reportedly died after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated prematurely while they were assembling explosives in Borno State.
The incident reportedly occurred at Maina Daya village in Marte Local Government Area, situated between Sabon Tumbu and Jubilaram, about 29 kilometres east of Monguno, according to intelligence sources cited by security analyst Zagazola Makama.
Those said to have been killed include Usman Dan Fulani, identified as an ISWAP medical officer, alongside two foreign Arab IED technicians and two local bomb-making experts affiliated with the terrorist group.
Security sources said the explosion happened as the operatives were allegedly preparing explosive devices for future attacks, believed to be targeted at military supply routes within the Sector 1 operational area of Operation HADIN KAI.
Analysts say the loss of experienced bomb specialists could significantly disrupt ISWAP’s capacity to manufacture and deploy roadside explosives, at least in the short term, particularly within the Marte-Monguno corridor where the group has remained active.
Following the incident, military authorities reportedly directed troops under Operation HADIN KAI to intensify offensive operations across Monguno, Marte and Gamboru Ngala.
The renewed operations are expected to include aggressive patrols, cordon-and-search missions and precision strikes aimed at preventing the insurgents from reorganising or restoring their bomb-making network.
The latest development comes as Nigerian troops continue sustained counter-insurgency operations against terrorist groups operating in the North-East, with security forces seeking to weaken their operational capabilities and deny them freedom of movement across strategic locations in Borno State.
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