The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has claimed responsibility for a devastating improvised explosive device (IED) attack that killed at least 26 people near Rann in Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.

The attack occurred around 11am last Friday along the Furunduma axis and initially left 17 people dead, including four women, six children, and seven other passengers.

However, by Monday, more bodies were recovered from the surrounding bush, pushing the confirmed death toll to 26.

Reuters reports that the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has claimed responsibility for an attack in northeastern Borno State, Nigeria, which left at least 26 people dead, according to a statement posted by the group on Telegram on Tuesday.

For over 15 years, Islamist insurgents Boko Haram and ISWAP have waged a violent campaign against Nigerian security forces in the region, frequently deploying improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to target both civilians and military personnel.

SaharaReporters reported that two Nigerian soldiers were killed on Tuesday in another deadly landmine explosion along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road in Borno State — an area increasingly plagued by insurgent violence and repeated terrorist ambushes.

Read Also:

Boko Haram: 40 farmers killed, scores kidnapped in fresh attack in Borno 

It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 11am near the deserted village of Nyeliri in Konduga Local Government Area, barely 17 days after an earlier Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack killed eight passengers and left dozens wounded on the same route.

Meanwhile, motorists and passengers reportedly abandoned vehicles and fled into nearby bushes, fearing further attacks.

The Maiduguri-Damboa Road has remained a volatile corridor, only accessible under strict military escort due to the persistent threat of Boko Haram insurgents.

However, despite these precautions, the road continues to witness lethal ambushes and bombings.

Tuesday’s explosion is the latest in a series of attacks that underscore a worrying resurgence in terrorist activities in southern Borno.

Just last Friday, six charcoal hawkers were reportedly slaughtered by insurgents in the Mulgoi area. Two days later, on Sunday, April 27, Boko Haram fighters killed two farmers at Kanama Road in Damboa Local Government Area while they were preparing their fields ahead of the rainy season.

Confirming the latest landmine tragedy, the District Head of Damboa, Alhaji Lawan Maina, expressed deep concern over the increasing boldness of the attackers.

“Two soldiers were killed,” he said. “The renewed Boko Haram attacks are alarming and largely unchallenged. People can no longer move freely or go to their farms without fear.”

Also reacting, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) condemned the incident and urged the Federal Government to urgently enhance military capacity in the region.

“The frequency of these attacks is deeply troubling,” Ndume said.

“Our soldiers are doing their best, but they need more sophisticated weapons and logistical support. The Federal Government must step up and provide all necessary tools to defeat this insurgency. Our people deserve to live in peace.”

Residents in Borno continue to live under the shadow of a conflict that has lasted over a decade, claiming thousands of lives and displacing millions.

While the military maintains that insurgents have been technically defeated, recent events suggest otherwise, with rural communities and security personnel increasingly becoming soft targets for the terrorists.