IED Explosion Kills 6 ISWAP Bomb Makers In Borno

Six suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have been killed after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) they were allegedly assembling detonated prematurely in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Jubilaram, where the suspected insurgents were reportedly working on the explosive device.

According to the sources, the group was led by a suspected bomb expert identified as Abu Umar, who also died in the explosion alongside five other members of the cell. Three other suspected insurgents were said to have sustained serious injuries.

Intelligence assessments indicated that the deceased were part of an ISWAP IED-making unit operating within the Marte–Kerenoa–Wulgo axis, a corridor often used by insurgents in the Lake Chad Basin region.

The explosion reportedly occurred during the preparation of the device, triggering a premature detonation that destroyed the site and left multiple casualties.

Security sources said the death of Abu Umar and other key bomb-making specialists could significantly disrupt ISWAP’s improvised explosive device operations in the area.

The affected location was identified as an IED manufacturing site between Arinna Maimasallaci and Arinna Ciki, which is now believed to be temporarily non-operational following the blast.

Military sources further noted that the development could weaken the group’s operational capabilities along key routes in the Marte axis.

Security authorities are reportedly considering follow-up air and ground operations to exploit the setback and further deny insurgents freedom of action in the region.