Five suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were killed on Wednesday when explosives they were assembling detonated prematurely at Maina Daya Village in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State, according to security analyst Zagazola Makama.
Details of the Blast
The dead included Usman Dan Fulani, an ISWAP medical officer; two foreign Arab improvised explosive device (IED) technicians; and two local bomb-making specialists. The blast occurred in a village situated between Sabon Tumbu and Jubilaram, roughly 29 kilometres east of Monguno Local Government Area.
Intelligence sources told Vanguard that the five men were in the process of assembling IEDs intended for deployment along military supply routes in the Sector 1 area of Operation HADIN KAI, the Nigerian military's counter-insurgency campaign in the Lake Chad Basin.
Impact on ISWAP's Capabilities
Security experts say the loss of experienced bombmakers is a notable blow to ISWAP's capacity to conduct roadside bomb attacks in the Marte-Monguno corridor. The two foreign Arab technicians, in particular, are seen as hard to replace given their specialised knowledge of the group's IED network.
According to TheCable, military sources said troops of Operation HADIN KAI have been ordered to intensify patrols, cordon-and-search operations, and targeted offensive actions across the Monguno, Marte, and Gamboru Ngala areas. The directive aims to prevent ISWAP from regrouping or restoring its bomb-making capability in the region.
Context of the Marte-Monguno Axis
The Marte-Monguno axis remains one of the more active flashpoints in Nigeria's north-east, with ISWAP regularly targeting military convoys and supply lines using IEDs.
In a related development, two ISWAP members, including a bomb-making specialist, recently surrendered to Nigerian troops in Yobe State. Their surrender is seen as a significant victory for security forces, as they could reveal critical information on bomb factories and logistical routes for terrorist operations.
Recent Military Successes
Meanwhile, Nigerian Army troops foiled an ISWAP infiltration attempt at Cross Kauwa, Kukawa LGA in Borno State on July 11, 2026, killing several attackers. Troops recovered a Sony camcorder from a neutralised terrorist cameraman containing footage linking four senior ISWAP commanders and three foreign nationals to the operation. Two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were airlifted for medical care, with both confirmed to be in stable condition.
