Explosion kills ISWAP bombmakers, foreign IED experts in Borno

Explosion kills ISWAP bombmakers, foreign IED experts in Borno

Five suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), including a medical officer and four alleged improvised explosive device (IED) specialists, have reportedly been killed in a premature explosion while assembling explosives in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources said the explosion occurred at Maina Daya village, located between Sabon Tumbu and Jubilaram in the Marte axis, an area within the wider Lake Chad region where ISWAP has maintained a presence.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, those killed included an ISWAP medical officer identified as Usman Dan Fulani, two foreign nationals described by the sources as Arab IED technicians, and two suspected bomb-making specialists.

The identities and nationalities of the foreign nationals had not been independently confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

Sources said the suspected ISWAP members were assembling improvised explosive devices when the explosives detonated unexpectedly.

The group was reportedly preparing the devices for possible deployment along strategic military supply routes in Sector 1 of Operation HADIN KAI, raising concerns that the explosives may have been intended for attacks on security forces or vehicles operating in the area.

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The explosion reportedly destroyed the location where the devices were being assembled and prevented the suspected explosives from being deployed.

Security analysts said the deaths of experienced bombmakers could represent a significant setback to ISWAP’s IED network, particularly in the Marte-Monguno axis, where explosive devices have been used to target military patrols, security convoys and major transport routes.

However, analysts also noted that the long-term impact of the incident would depend on the group’s ability to replace the personnel and restore its technical capacity.

The development comes amid sustained military operations aimed at disrupting terrorist networks, destroying logistics facilities and limiting the movement of insurgents across Borno State and other parts of the North-East.

ISWAP has continued to use roadside bombs and other improvised explosive devices as part of its campaign against military formations, security personnel and civilian targets in the Lake Chad region.

Military sources said troops under Operation HADIN KAI had been directed to take advantage of the development by intensifying patrols, intelligence gathering, cordon-and-search operations and targeted offensives across the Monguno, Marte and Gamboru Ngala areas.

The operations are expected to focus on preventing surviving members of the suspected network from regrouping, relocating their activities or rebuilding their IED-manufacturing capacity.

Security forces are also expected to strengthen surveillance along routes that have previously been targeted with explosive devices.

The Nigerian military has continued to carry out intelligence-led air and ground operations against suspected ISWAP camps, logistics hubs and movement corridors across Borno.

While the latest explosion may temporarily disrupt the group’s operations, security analysts said sustained military pressure, improved intelligence gathering and continued collaboration with local communities would be necessary to prevent ISWAP from rebuilding its explosives network.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian military had not issued an official statement confirming the incident, the identities of those killed or the reported involvement of foreign IED technicians.

Explosion kills ISWAP bombmakers, foreign IED experts in Borno