Six suspected ISWAP fighters died on Saturday after an improvised explosive device they were assembling detonated prematurely in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State. The blast occurred around 7:00 a.m. in Jubilaram, according to security analyst Zagazola Makama, who cited military sources on X.
The group was reportedly led by bomb expert Abu Umar, who was killed alongside five other militants. Three additional members sustained serious injuries in the explosion. Security sources said the men belonged to an ISWAP bomb-making cell operating across the Marte–Kerenoa–Wulgo axis in the Lake Chad region.
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“The explosion occurred while the device was being assembled, leading to a sudden detonation that destroyed their location and killed those inside,” Makama posted. Intelligence reports indicate the blast also damaged an IED manufacturing site between Arinna Maimasallaci and Arinna Ciki.
Officials believe the incident could disrupt ISWAP’s capacity to plant roadside bombs in the area. Security forces are now considering follow-up operations to exploit the setback and clear remaining insurgents along the axis.
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