Five suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), including four alleged bomb-making specialists and a medical officer, were reportedly killed after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated while they were assembling it in Borno State.

The incident was reported by security analyst Zagazola Makama, who said the explosion occurred at Maina Daya Village in Marte Local Government Area, between Sabon Tumbu and Jubilaram, about 29 kilometres east of Monguno.

According to the report, those killed included Usman Dan Fulani, identified as an ISWAP medical officer, two foreign Arab nationals said to be IED technicians, and two other suspected bomb-making experts.

Makama said the explosion occurred while the group was allegedly preparing improvised explosive devices for deployment.

Preliminary intelligence, according to the report, indicates the explosives were intended for attacks along key military supply routes within the Sector 1 area of Operation HADIN KAI.

Security sources believe the incident could temporarily disrupt ISWAP’s bomb-making operations and reduce the group’s capacity to carry out roadside IED attacks along the Marte-Monguno axis.

Following the explosion, military authorities reportedly directed troops to intensify patrols, cordon-and-search operations and offensive missions across Monguno, Marte and Gamboru Ngala to prevent the insurgents from regrouping.

Security operations are continuing in the area as authorities work to verify the incident and sustain pressure on suspected insurgent hideouts.