Separate IED Explosions Kill Teenager, Injure 2, Destroy Bridge in Borno

Separate IED Explosions Kill Teenager, Injure 2, Destroy Bridge in Borno

A fresh wave of terror attacks linked to suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters has rocked parts of Borno State, leaving a teenage girl dead, two civilians injured, and critical infrastructure destroyed, including a major bridge linking communities in the state’s troubled northeast, PRNigeria reports.

The first incident occurred on June 29 in the Ngurno bush area of Monguno Local Government Area, where two teenage girls, Fatima Mohammed (16) and Hauwa Goni (17), stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) suspected to have been planted by insurgents.

Zagazola Makama reports that the girls, who were residents of the Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Monguno, had ventured into the bush—approximately 70 kilometers from the town—to fetch water from a borehole when tragedy struck around 12:00 p.m.

Fatima was fatally injured, with the blast shattering her legs, while Hauwa sustained multiple injuries. Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, accompanied by EOD-CBRN personnel, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members, and local hunters, quickly mobilized to the scene, cordoned off the area, and cleared it of any additional explosives.

Fatima was confirmed dead on arrival at the General Hospital Monguno, where Hauwa is currently receiving treatment and responding well. Fatima’s remains were handed over to her family and buried in accordance with Islamic rites.

Barely 24 hours later, on June 30, suspected ISWAP terrorists carried out another twin IED attack in Ngala Local Government Area. The first blast occurred at about 9:30 a.m. near the entrance of Wulgo Town, where a civilian identified as 35-year-old Sani Audu from Hausari Ward, Gamboru-Ngala, accidentally stepped on a buried explosive device while heading to the town.

Audu sustained minor injuries and was rushed to the General Hospital in Ngala for treatment before being discharged.

Later that day, at approximately 1:14 p.m., a second IED explosion was reported along Wulgo Road, resulting in the destruction of the Abari Bridge—a critical structure linking Gamboru and Wulgo Town. Security sources believe the coordinated attack was aimed at disrupting civilian movement and military logistics in the region.

Following both attacks, troops of Operation Hadin Kai conducted thorough clearance operations at the respective locations, ensuring no secondary explosives remained. The affected areas were declared safe, while security presence has been heightened to prevent further incidents.

The Nigerian military has condemned the use of IEDs by ISWAP elements, describing the tactic as a desperate attempt to destabilize local communities and obstruct ongoing counterinsurgency operations. Authorities also renewed their call for civilians in rural and remote areas to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or objects.

The spate of IED attacks underscores the persistent threat posed by insurgents, even as military efforts continue to reclaim and secure areas once dominated by terrorist elements in the Northeast.

By PRNigeria