By Ado Oyeyemi
Five suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, including four alleged explosives specialists and a medical officer, have reportedly been killed after an improvised explosive device detonated while they were assembling it in Borno State.
The incident reportedly occurred in Maina Daya village, Marte Local Government Area, between Sabon Tumbu and Jubilaram, about 29 kilometres east of Monguno.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the victims included Usman Dan Fulani, identified as the group’s medical officer, two foreign nationals said to be Arab IED technicians, and two other suspected bomb-making experts.
Makama said the explosion occurred while the group was preparing improvised explosive devices believed to have been intended for future attacks.
Preliminary intelligence reports indicated that the suspected insurgents were assembling explosives for deployment along strategic military supply routes within the Sector 1 operational area of Operation HADIN KAI.
Security sources believe the incident could significantly disrupt ISWAP’s bomb production network and temporarily reduce the group’s capacity to launch roadside explosive attacks in the Marte-Monguno axis.
Following the development, military authorities were said to have 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 restoring their operational capabilities.
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Security operations are said to be ongoing in the affected areas as authorities continue to verify details of the explosion while sustaining pressure on suspected insurgent hideouts.
