Six ISWAP Fighters Killed in Failed Bomb-Making Operation

No fewer than six suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were reportedly killed after an improvised explosive device exploded while being assembled in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Friday morning in Jubilaram community within the volatile Lake Chad region.

According to security reports shared by counter-insurgency analyst, Zagazola Makama, the explosion happened at about 7:00 a.m. while the suspected insurgents were allegedly working on an explosive device.

Sources said the group was led by a suspected bomb specialist identified as Abu Umar, who was among those killed in the blast.

Three other suspected fighters were also said to have sustained severe injuries during the incident.

Security sources disclosed that the dead suspects belonged to an ISWAP bomb-making network operating around the Marte–Kerenoa–Wulgo corridor in the Lake Chad axis.

“The explosion reportedly occurred while the device was being assembled, leading to a sudden detonation that destroyed their location and killed those inside,” the report stated.

Intelligence findings further indicated that the blast may have badly damaged an improvised explosive device production site believed to be located between Arinna Maimasallaci and Arinna Ciki.

Security operatives believe the incident could temporarily weaken the group’s operational capacity, particularly its ability to launch roadside bomb attacks within the area.

Sources also hinted that security agencies may intensify operations in the axis to exploit the setback suffered by the insurgents and dislodge remaining terrorist elements.

The Lake Chad region has remained one of the major flashpoints of insurgency in the North-East, with security forces sustaining military offensives against ISWAP and other extremist groups operating around the border communities.