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At least nine Nigerian soldiers have been confirmed dead and five others injured following the detonation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by Islamic terrorists of the Boko Haram group along the Maiduguri–Gubio road in Borno State.
The attack occurred along one of the most volatile military corridors in the North-East, underscoring the continued operational capacity of Boko Haram Islamic terrorists despite years of counter-insurgency campaigns.
Ejes Gist News reports that the deadly explosion targeted a military convoy travelling from Maiduguri towards Gubio Local Government Area on Sunday evening.
Attack Occurred on Strategic Military Route
Security sources disclosed that the IEDs were planted overnight along the 85-kilometre Maiduguri–Gubio axis, a route frequently used by troops conducting clearance operations around the Lake Chad basin and adjoining forest corridors.
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The road has remained a high-risk zone due to repeated attacks by Boko Haram insurgents, who rely heavily on roadside explosives to inflict casualties on security forces.
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“This was not an ambush involving gunfire,” a senior security source said. “The explosion resulted from IEDs planted by Boko Haram terrorists to target soldiers moving along the road.”
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Troops Were En Route to Forest Operation
According to military sources, the affected soldiers were heading towards the Sasawa Forest area, a known hideout used by Boko Haram fighters operating along the Borno–Yobe border.
The troops reportedly halted at a military formation on Saturday and resumed their journey the following evening when the explosion occurred near Gubio town, the headquarters of Gubio Local Government Area.
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Several soldiers sustained severe injuries, including shrapnel wounds to the head and limbs, and were immediately evacuated for medical treatment.
Unit and Command Structure Identified
The soldiers were identified as personnel of the 145 Battalion, Damasak, under the 5 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, headquartered at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army had yet to issue an official statement confirming the casualty figures or detailing follow-up military actions.
Boko Haram’s Continued Use of IEDs
Security analysts note that Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) factions have increasingly relied on IEDs to disrupt troop movements and logistics along major supply routes.
The Maiduguri–Gubio road, in particular, has witnessed multiple attacks in recent years due to its strategic importance and proximity to insurgent-controlled forest enclaves.
Military operations in the area are ongoing as efforts continue to neutralize terrorist cells responsible for the attack.
