At least nine Nigerian soldiers have been killed following an improvised explosive device (IED) attack allegedly carried out by Boko Haram insurgents along the Gumio axis in Borno State.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening when a military vehicle conveying troops of the 145 Battalion, Damasak, under the 5 Brigade, was travelling from Maiduguri town. The vehicle reportedly drove into a road bomb, triggering a powerful explosion that killed eight soldiers instantly and left several others critically injured.
Military sources disclosed that some of the wounded soldiers were immediately airlifted to medical facilities for urgent treatment. However, one of the injured personnel later succumbed to his injuries at a clinic on Monday morning, bringing the death toll to nine. Other injured soldiers are said to be in critical condition, with medical officials battling to save their lives.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army had yet to issue an official statement on the attack. Nevertheless, a senior military source familiar with the incident told reporters that preliminary investigations indicate Boko Haram insurgents planted the explosive device.
Improvised explosive devices, commonly referred to as IEDs, are locally manufactured bombs frequently used by terrorist groups and often concealed along roadsides or in everyday objects.
Security analysts note that while IED attacks have been relatively rare in recent years, the last major incident involving Nigerian troops occurred in 2019 along the Kawuri–Alauri Road in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
The latest attack has sparked widespread public concern and renewed calls for the federal government to intensify efforts to combat Boko Haram insurgency, which has plagued Nigeria’s North-East region for over two decades.
Nigerians across the country have continued to mourn the fallen soldiers and express solidarity with their families, urging stronger security measures to stem the resurgence of insurgent violence.
