Commuters injured, one killed ‘after running into IED planted for troops’ by ISWAP in Borno

A commercial vehicle travelling on the Kareto road in Mobbar LGA of Borno has reportedly exploded.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication based in the Lake Chad region, the vehicle exploded after running into a roadside Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on Wednesday.

The publication said the IED was believed to have been laid for the troops of 5 brigade Operation Hadin Ka by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Zagazola Makama added that the usual ISWAP IED ambush tactics was to expect the local bomb to be triggered by gunshot.

During the attack, one passenger was killed, five sustained varying degrees of injuries while the vehicle was damaged.

After the attack on the unarmed commuters, the troops had a “fierce gun duel with the terrorists lurking behind the scene”.

The publication said the ISWAP fighters fled the scene of the attack on several motorcycles.

In a similar development on Tuesday, the ISWAP fighters attacked motorists who were travelling along the Bama-Banki road.

The Bama-Banki road is an important route in Bama LGA of Borno.

In one of the attacks, Zagazola Makama said the ISWAP fighters “successfully” intercepted two vehicles that were loaded with essential food items.

The publication said after the attack, the fighters swiftly moved their booties to a nearby bush to take cover against troops’ pursuit.