Troops foil ISWAP bomb plot, kill two in Borno ambush

...AK-47s, explosives recovered after brief firefight

Troops of the Nigerian Army under Sector 2 of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully prevented a planned bomb attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operatives in Borno State.

The ambush unfolded along the Trans-Timbuktu corridor, close to the Katarko–Goniri axis, where soldiers intercepted the insurgents as they attempted to plant Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

Security analyst Zagazola Makama revealed details of the operation on his verified X account on Monday, noting that the troops acted swiftly following credible intelligence reports.

According to Makama, the soldiers engaged the militants in a brief but intense firefight, resulting in the deaths of two ISWAP fighters while others escaped into the surrounding bush.

Troops recovered two AK-47 rifles, several magazines, a motorcycle, and components used in bomb-making. Equipment for cutting through tarred roads to hide IEDs was also seized at the scene.

Makama stated that the army’s rapid intervention prevented what could have been a catastrophic attack on both military personnel and civilian road users.

In the wake of the operation, the military has increased patrols and route clearance missions along the corridor to forestall further insurgent activity.