According to the sources, those killed included Usman Dan Fulani, identified as an ISWAP medical officer, two foreign Arab IED technicians and two ISWAP bomb-making experts.
Five suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), including an alleged medical officer and four improvised explosive device (IED) specialists, were reportedly killed when an explosive device detonated prematurely while they were assembling it in Borno State.
Intelligence sources told counter-insurgency expert and security analyst Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at Maina Daya Village, between Sabon Tumbu and Jubilaram in Marte Local Government Area, about 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 ISWAP bomb-making experts.
The sources said the explosion occurred while the group was allegedly preparing improvised explosive devices for deployment, indicating they were planning further attacks along key military supply routes within the Sector 1 operational area of Operation HADIN KAI.
Security analysts described the deaths of the experienced bomb-makers as a major setback to ISWAP’s IED network, saying the incident could temporarily degrade the group’s ability to carry out roadside bomb attacks along the Marte-Monguno axis.
Military sources also disclosed that troops have been directed to exploit the development by intensifying patrols, cordon-and-search operations and precision offensive missions around Monguno, Marte and Gamboru Ngala to prevent the terrorist group from regrouping or rebuilding its IED capability.
The incident underscores the continued threat posed by ISWAP’s use of improvised explosive devices, which remain one of the group’s principal tactics in attacks targeting military convoys and civilian traffic across Nigeria’s North-East.
