In northeastern Nigeria, a series of explosions from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) tragically resulted in the deaths of at least 26 individuals, including women and children, according to police reports on Tuesday. Responsibility for this deadly incident has been claimed by a faction affiliated with the Islamic State in the region.
The blasts occurred on a frequently used road that links the towns of Rann and Gamboru in Borno State, close to the Cameroon border. The Nigerian police, through spokesperson Nahum Daso, detailed that several civilian commercial vehicles, mostly carrying farmers and traders, were decimated by the explosives as they traveled from Rann. A Toyota pickup truck, heavily laden with passengers, fell victim to a hidden landmine, leading to the high fatality rate. The landmine is suspected to have been planted by IS West Africa Province, a known Islamic State affiliate in the region.
Beyond the fatalities, the explosion injured at least three people, who have since been transported to nearby healthcare facilities for urgent medical attention. Meanwhile, security forces have responded by securing the affected zone and commencing clearance operations to ensure the safety of the roads.
A statement from Abba Modu, affiliated with the Civilian Joint Task Force—a vigilante group that backs military operations against Islamic militants—suggested that the attacks might have been initially targeting security operatives who frequent the highway. According to Modu, militants often lay IEDs in damaged portions of roads under disguise, typically aiming for soldiers.
The group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), took responsibility for the attack through a statement shared on Telegram. ISWAP originated from a split with Boko Haram in 2016 over disagreements concerning leadership and the targeting of civilian places, such as mosques and markets. Boko Haram, Nigeria’s homegrown extremist group, has been active since 2009, fervently opposing Western education and advocating for strict Islamic law implementation.
Nigeria’s battle with Islamic extremists represents Africa’s most prolonged conflict with militancy. The strife has transcended borders, affecting neighboring regions, including Chad, Niger, and Cameroon. Reports from the United Nations estimate the chaos has resulted in approximately 35,000 civilian deaths and has displaced over 2 million people. Northeastern Nigeria remains one of the regions most affected by such violent extremism.
Earlier in the month, suspicions pointed towards Islamic militants for planting a roadside bomb in northeastern Nigeria, which led to the deaths of eight passengers when it detonated on a bus. Furthermore, the Nigerian military has introduced new leadership with the appointment of Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar to lead efforts against the Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgencies in the northeast, marking another strategic shift in hopes of regaining control and ensuring regional stability.