Soldiers killed as navy van runs into ISWAP landmine in Borno

A Nigerian Army patrol car hit a landmine planted by Islamic State group-aligned jihadists in Borno State, close to the border with Cameroon, killing eight troopers, defence sources informed AFP on Sunday.

The assault occurred within the northeastern state of Borno on Saturday, October 17, 2026, the identical day the Nigerian Army Chief, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, was visiting the state capital, Maiduguri, over an assault on a base days earlier that killed 15 troopers and 5 anti-jihadist militia members.

In the most recent assault, troops have been inspecting anti-jihadist militia members who have been clearing thickets alongside the freeway outdoors the city of Gamboru when their car rolled over the mine and exploded, killing all eight on board, the sources mentioned.

The sources blamed the assault on Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which is energetic within the space.

Jihadists use thickets alongside the freeway as cowl to ambush troops and motorists.

“All eight soldiers in the vehicle were killed in the explosion,” which occurred in Kinuba village, 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) from Gamboru, a navy officer within the area mentioned.

Ibrahim Liman, an anti-jihadist militia member aiding the navy towards jihadists, gave the identical toll.

“The explosive was planted on the dusty road and remotely detonated by a detonating cord,” Liman mentioned.

A militia member supervising the thicket clearing was injured by shrapnel, mentioned Liman.

ISWAP and rival jihadist group Boko Haram have more and more resorted to planting mines on highways towards navy and civilian targets.

The lengthy jihadist battle has killed tens of 1000’s of individuals and displaced round two million from their houses in Nigeria’s northeast.

The violence has unfold to neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, prompting a regional navy coalition to combat the militants. (AFP).

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