Six suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have been killed after an improvised explosive device (IED) they were trying to assemble exploded.
Quoting security sources, Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the incident occurred around 7am on Saturday in Jubilaram in Marte LGA of Borno state.
“The sources said the group was led by a suspected bomb expert identified as Abu Umar, who also died in the explosion alongside five other militants,” Makama reported.
“Three other members of the group reportedly sustained serious injuries in the incident.
“According to intelligence assessments, the deceased suspects were part of ISWAP’s IED-making cell operating within the Marte–Kerenoa–Wulgo axis, a known corridor for insurgent movements in the Lake Chad Basin.”
The publication reported that the blast destroyed the location and resulted in several casualties.
Makama said the deaths of Abu Umar and other suspected bomb-making experts could deal a major setback to the group’s IED operations in the area.
“The incident reportedly affected an IED manufacturing hub located between Arinna Maimasallaci and Arinna Ciki, which may now be temporarily non-operational following the blast,” Makama said.
“Military sources said the development could further degrade the operational capability of the Islamic State West Africa Province along key routes in the Marte axis.
“Security authorities are reportedly considering follow-up air and ground operations to exploit the situation and further deny insurgents freedom of action in the area.”