No fewer than six suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have been killed after an improvised explosive device (IED) they were assembling exploded in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

The incident reportedly occurred around 7:00 a.m. on Saturday in Jubilaram village.

The information was contained in a report by counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, which quoted security sources familiar with the development.

IED Explosion Hits Bomb-Making Cell

According to the sources, the group was led by a suspected bomb expert identified as Abu Umar, who also died in the explosion alongside five other militants.

Three additional members of the group reportedly sustained serious injuries in the blast.

The affected cell was said to be part of ISWAP’s IED-making network operating within the Marte–Kerenoa–Wulgo axis, a known corridor for insurgent movement in the Lake Chad Basin.

Operational Impact On Insurgents

The explosion reportedly destroyed the site and left several casualties, disrupting ongoing bomb-making activities in the area.

Security analysts quoted in the report said the deaths of Abu Umar and other operatives could deal a setback to ISWAP’s improvised explosive device operations in the region.

The affected hub, located between Arinna Maimasallaci and Arinna Ciki, was described as a key manufacturing point for explosive devices used in attacks across parts of Borno State.

Possible Follow-Up Military Action

Military sources also suggested that the incident may trigger further air and ground operations aimed at exploiting the disruption and targeting remaining insurgent cells in the Marte axis.

Authorities are reportedly monitoring the situation as part of ongoing counter-insurgency efforts in the Lake Chad region, where security forces continue to pressure ISWAP and other extremist groups.