Six suspected ISWAP bomb makers killed in premature IED…

Six suspected members of Islamic State’s West Africa Province, including a bomb expert, were killed Friday morning when an improvised explosive device detonated prematurely in the Mars local government area.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the explosion occurred around 7am on May 16, 2026 in Jubilaram while the group was assembling the device. The team was led by Abu Umar, identified as a bomb expert, who died in the blast along with five other militants. Three others were reportedly injured.

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Intelligence assessments say the deceased were part of the ISWAP IED cell operating along the Mars-Kerenoa-Wulgo axis in the Lake Chad Basin. The explosion destroyed the site, located between Arinna Maimasallaci and Arinna Ciki, and is expected to temporarily disrupt the group’s bomb-making operations in the area.

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Military sources said the accident could weaken ISWAP’s capability along key Mars axis routes. Authorities are considering air and ground operations to exploit the disruption.