Six terrorists die in their own bomb blast in Borno

Six suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) died when an improvised explosive device (IED) they were reportedly assembling detonated early in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

The incident was reported on X by security analyst Zagazola Makama, who said he had spoken to security sources.

According to the report, the blast happened at about 7:00 a.m. on 16 May 2026 in Jubilaram, where the militants were allegedly working on a bomb.

The group was led by a suspected bomb expert named Abu Umar, who was among the six killed. Three other members were said to have suffered serious injuries.

Security sources said the deceased were part of an ISWAP bomb‑making cell operating along the Marte–Kerenoa–Wulgo axis in the Lake Chad region.

“The explosion occurred while the device was being assembled, causing a sudden detonation that destroyed the location and killed those inside,” Makama wrote.

Intelligence reports also suggest that the blast may have damaged an ISWAP IED production site located between Arinna Maimasallaci and Arinna Ciki.

Security sources added that the incident could weaken the group’s capacity to carry out roadside bomb attacks in the area.

Authorities are reportedly considering further security operations to exploit the setback and eliminate remaining insurgent elements within the axis.