A suspected improvised explosive device (IED) attack kills five Nigerian soldiers and injures five others near Gubio in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State, raising fresh security concerns along key military routes in the North East.
The Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, confirms the incident, Mediaplusng.com reports. Although details remain sketchy, military sources say the explosive detonates along a highway reportedly targeted at troop movement.
Preliminary information indicates that the suspected IED is planted on Sunday along the road near Gubio, a town located about 100 kilometres north of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The injured soldiers are said to be receiving medical attention, while security forces secure the area to prevent further attacks.
The attack occurs despite recent gains recorded by the military against insurgent groups in the region, Mediaplusng.com understands. In recent weeks, troops of Operation Hadin Kai arrest several suspected suicide bombers and recover large caches of arms and ammunition during intensified operations over the yuletide period.
Military sources note that the incident highlights the continued use of IEDs by insurgents, even as they come under sustained pressure from ongoing counter-terrorism operations. Troops have reportedly increased patrols and route clearance activities along major highways to reduce similar threats.
On the same day as the Gubio incident, troops of Operation Hadin Kai also carry out a coordinated operation in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State. During the operation, soldiers engage terrorists at a known crossing point along the Sojiri axis.
Security sources confirm that five terrorists are neutralised during the encounter, while three hostages are rescued alive. Troops also recover AK-47 rifles and other military items from the scene, dealing another blow to insurgent activities in the area.
Military authorities say operations remain ongoing across different parts of Borno State, with a focus on degrading terrorist networks, clearing IED threats, and protecting civilian populations as well as security personnel.
The Nigerian military reassures residents of the North East of its commitment to restoring peace and maintaining pressure on insurgents, despite the latest attack. It also urges members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or objects to security agencies.
As investigations continue into the Gubio explosion, security forces are expected to review safety measures along major routes to prevent further loss of lives and sustain recent operational successes against insurgent groups in the region.
