In a disturbing escalation of terrorist activities in Nigeria’s northeast, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has claimed responsibility for a deadly bombing that killed 26 travellers in Borno State on Monday. The group, in a statement shared via its Telegram channel on Tuesday, said it orchestrated the improvised explosive device (IED) attack that targeted a commercial vehicle en route to Gamboru Ngala.
The tragic incident occurred at around 12:00 p.m. in Furunduma village, located within Kala-Balge Local Government Area, when an Isuzu pickup van travelling from Kala-Balge to Gamboru Ngala ran over the IED. The explosive, suspected to have been planted by ISWAP or its Boko Haram affiliate, detonated instantly, claiming the lives of 16 men, four women, and six children.
The spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, confirmed the attack, stating that two other passengers, including the driver, sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving medical care. “The vehicle involved bore the registration number XA265KKU. The scene was secured by joint security forces, and efforts are ongoing to track the perpetrators,” he added.
This is the second major IED attack in the state within two weeks. On April 15, a passenger bus travelling along the Maiduguri–Damboa Road also struck a buried explosive near Komala village, resulting in eight fatalities and leaving 11 others critically injured. That incident, too, was linked to terrorist groups operating in the region.
Security analysts believe that these renewed attacks indicate a shift in ISWAP’s operational strategy, targeting soft civilian convoys and remote transportation routes to instill fear and disrupt daily activities in rural communities.
The Borno State government has condemned the attack, describing it as a “cowardly act of terror against innocent Nigerians.” In a statement, Governor Babagana Zulum extended condolences to the families of the deceased and reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening regional security collaboration. “We will not be deterred by these acts of brutality. The government will continue to support the military and security agencies in flushing out these elements from our land,” Zulum said.
The Nigerian military, alongside local vigilantes and civilian joint task forces, has since increased patrols along critical roads and border communities in Borno State. A senior military officer who spoke anonymously disclosed that fresh clearance operations are underway in Kala-Balge and Gamboru Ngala axis to dislodge ISWAP hideouts and prevent further attacks.
Meanwhile, human rights and civil society groups are calling for urgent reinforcement of intelligence surveillance and the protection of civilians in terrorism-prone areas. “This latest attack underscores the persistent threat terrorism poses to ordinary Nigerians. It’s not enough to respond after the carnage. Prevention and intelligence gathering must be strengthened,” said Aisha Wakil, founder of the NGO, Complete Care and Aid Foundation.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) also expressed concern over the impact of such attacks on aid delivery and civilian mobility. The northeast region has remained volatile since the Boko Haram insurgency began in 2009, with more than 35,000 deaths recorded and over two million people displaced.
As investigations continue, the Nigerian government faces renewed pressure to demonstrate decisive action and a more proactive counter-terrorism strategy amid fears of further ISWAP offensives.