Eight Nigerian Soldiers Killed by ISWAP Landmine Attack

On Saturday, eight Nigerian soldiers were killed when their patrol vehicle hit a landmine near Kinuba village in Borno State, approximately 25 kilometres from Gamboru. The explosive was reportedly planted by jihadists from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The incident took place while the soldiers were inspecting militia members clearing vegetation along the highway. A military officer confirmed that all eight soldiers in the vehicle died in the explosion.

Ibrahim Liman, a member of the anti-jihadist militia, also verified the death toll and noted that the explosive was remotely detonated. The attack coincided with a visit by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, to Maiduguri, following a previous assault on a military base that resulted in the deaths of 15 soldiers and five militia members.

The use of landmines by ISWAP and Boko Haram has increased in recent years, contributing to ongoing violence in northeastern Nigeria, which has led to tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of approximately two million people.