Win for Nigeria for against insecurity as Six suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, have reportedly died following the premature detonation of an improvised explosive device, or IED, in the Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.
The incident was disclosed by counter-insurgency analyst Zagazola Makama in a post shared on X.
According to security sources cited by Makama, the explosion occurred around 7:00 a.m. on May 16, 2026, in Jubilaram, where the insurgents were allegedly assembling an explosive device.
The report identified the group’s leader as Abu Umar, described as a suspected bomb-making expert, who was killed alongside five other militants in the blast.
Three additional members of the group were said to have sustained severe injuries.
Intelligence reports indicated that the deceased suspects belonged to an ISWAP IED manufacturing unit operating within the Marte–Kerenoa–Wulgo corridor, an area known for insurgent activities in the Lake Chad Basin.
The explosion was believed to have occurred while the device was being prepared, triggering a premature detonation that destroyed the site and caused multiple casualties.
Security sources noted that the death of Abu Umar and other bomb-making specialists could significantly weaken the group’s IED operations in the region.
The blast also reportedly affected an IED production facility located between Arinna Maimasallaci and Arinna Ciki, which may now be temporarily out of operation.
Military sources added that the development could further reduce ISWAP’s operational capacity along key routes within the Marte axis.
Authorities are also said to be considering follow-up air and ground offensives aimed at exploiting the situation and limiting insurgents’ activities in the area.
