 has claimed responsibility for the deadly bomb explosion that killed 26 travellers in Borno State on Monday.){kind=link}
The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has claimed responsibility for the deadly bomb explosion that killed 26 travellers in Borno State on Monday.
According to Reuters, the group announced its involvement via a statement posted on its Telegram channel on Tuesday.
The attack occurred when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), suspected to have been planted by insurgents, detonated under a moving Isuzu pickup van en route from Kala-Balge to Gamboru Ngala.
The incident took place around noon near Furunduma village.
Confirming the incident, spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, said the blast resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, including 16 men, four women, and six children.
“The pickup van, bearing registration number XA265KKU, ran over an IED around Furunduma village. Sadly, 26 people lost their lives in the explosion,” Daso stated.
He also revealed that the vehicle’s driver and two other victims sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at a nearby medical facility.
The explosion marks the second major attack in the state within a month.
Just over two weeks ago, a similar IED blast along the Maiduguri–Damboa Road claimed eight lives and left 11 others injured after a Hummer bus struck an explosive device planted by suspected Boko Haram fighters.
Security operatives have since ramped up surveillance and patrols across affected regions, while investigations into the recent incidents are ongoing.