Five ISWAP Bomb Experts Killed in Premature IED Explosion in Borno

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

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at Maina Daya Village, between Sabon Tumbu and Jubilaram, approximately 29 kilometres east of Monguno.

According to the sources, those killed included Usman Dan Fulani, identified as an ISWAP medical officer, two foreign Arab IED technicians and two other members of the group reportedly involved in bomb-making.

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The explosion is believed to have occurred while the terrorists were assembling IEDs for deployment, raising indications that the group may have been preparing attacks along key military supply routes within the Sector 1 area of Operation Hadin Kai.

The loss of personnel with specialised expertise in explosives could represent a setback to ISWAP’s IED capabilities, particularly along the Marte-Monguno axis, where the group has previously relied on roadside explosives to target security forces.

Military sources said troops have been directed to intensify patrols, cordon-and-search operations and other offensive actions around Monguno, Marte and Gamboru Ngala to exploit the development and prevent the terrorists from regrouping or restoring their bomb-making network.

Security forces are expected to sustain intelligence-led operations in the affected areas as part of broader efforts to disrupt terrorist logistics and prevent further attacks across the region