ISWAP Bomb-Making Cell Explodes in Borno
At least six suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were killed after an improvised explosive device (IED) they were reportedly assembling detonated accidentally in Borno State.
The explosion occurred around 7 a.m. on Saturday in Jubilaram, located in Marte Local Government Area of the state.
According to counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, the group was led by a suspected bomb expert identified as Abu Umar, who was among those killed in the blast.
Three other militants reportedly sustained serious injuries.
Intelligence sources said the dead suspects were members of an ISWAP IED-making unit operating within the Marte–Kerenoa–Wulgo corridor, an area known for insurgent activities in the Lake Chad Basin.
The explosion reportedly destroyed the bomb-making site and caused multiple casualties.
Security sources said the death of Abu Umar and other bomb specialists could significantly weaken ISWAP’s IED operations in the area.
The affected facility, located between Arinna Maimasallaci and Arinna Ciki, is believed to have served as a major IED manufacturing hub and may now be temporarily out of operation following the incident.
Military authorities are also said to be considering follow-up air and ground offensives to further disrupt insurgent activities in the Marte axis.















