Troops of the Nigerian Army under Sector 2 of Operation Hadin Kai have thwarted a planned Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents along the Trans-Timbuktu corridor in Borno State.
Two of the insurgents were neutralised during an ambush operation near the Katarko–Goniri axis, a strategic route in the state, following actionable intelligence.
This was made known on Monday in a post by a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst, Zagazola Makama, via his official X handle.
Makama said the operation was launched after intelligence revealed that the terrorists were en route to plant explosives targeting military and civilian vehicles along the busy highway.
“During the encounter, troops engaged the terrorists in a brief but fierce firefight, killing two while others escaped with injuries,” he stated.
Items recovered from the scene include two AK-47 rifles, loaded magazines, a motorcycle, and components used in assembling explosive devices. Troops also recovered tools used to bore holes into tarred roads for concealing IEDs.
Makama added that the prompt response of the troops averted what could have been a deadly attack on road users.
Following the incident, the military has intensified route clearance operations and patrols across vulnerable spots in the region to forestall further attempts by insurgents.
