Six suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were reportedly killed after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) they were allegedly assembling exploded prematurely in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

The incident was disclosed on Saturday by security analyst Zagazola Makama in a post on X, citing intelligence and security sources.

According to the report, the explosion occurred around 7:00 a.m. on May 16, 2026, in Jubilaram village, where the suspects were allegedly working on an explosive device.

Security sources identified the group’s leader as Abu Umar, believed to be a bomb-making specialist, who was among those killed in the blast. Three other suspected fighters reportedly sustained severe injuries.

The deceased were said to be members of an ISWAP bomb-making unit operating within the Marte–Kerenoa–Wulgo corridor in the Lake Chad region.

Makama quoted security sources as saying that the explosion occurred during the assembly of the device, triggering a detonation that destroyed the hideout and killed those inside.

Intelligence assessments further indicated that the incident may have significantly disrupted an ISWAP IED-production facility located between Arinna Maimasallaci and Arinna Ciki.

Security officials noted that the setback could weaken the group’s capacity to launch roadside bomb attacks within the area.

Authorities are reportedly considering follow-up operations aimed at exploiting the development to dismantle remaining insurgent elements operating within the axis.