Monday, May 18, 2026 - Six suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have died after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) they were allegedly assembling detonated prematurely in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.
The incident was contained in a post shared on X
on Saturday by security analyst, Zagazola Makama, who cited security
sources.
According to the report, the explosion occurred at about
7:00 a.m. on May 16, 2026, in Jubilaram, where the suspected militants
were reportedly working on an explosive device.
The group was reportedly led by a suspected bomb expert
identified as Abu Umar, who also died in the blast alongside five other
fighters. Three other members of the group were said to have sustained serious
injuries.
Security sources said the deceased suspects were part of an
ISWAP bomb-making cell operating within the Marte–Kerenoa–Wulgo axis in the
Lake Chad region.
“The explosion reportedly occurred while the device was
being assembled, leading to a sudden detonation that destroyed their location
and killed those inside,” Makama wrote.
Intelligence reports also suggest that the blast may have
severely affected an ISWAP improvised explosive device manufacturing site
located between Arinna Maimasallaci and Arinna Ciki.
Security sources added that the development could weaken the
group’s ability to carry out roadside bomb attacks in the area.
Authorities are reportedly considering further security
operations to take advantage of the setback and clear remaining insurgent
elements within the axis.
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