The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has claimed responsibility for Monday’s fatal bombing of a pickup van in Borno State, which resulted in the deaths of 26 travellers.
According to a report by Reuters, the terrorist group announced its involvement via a statement on its Telegram channel on Tuesday.
An Improvised Explosive Device (IED), believed to have been planted by Boko Haram insurgents, detonated beneath a moving vehicle en route from Kala-Balge to the Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area.
The tragic event occurred at approximately 12:00 p.m. on Monday, when an Isuzu pickup van ran over the device near Furunduma village.
Confirming the incident, the Borno State Police Command’s spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, said the explosion killed 26 individuals—16 men, four women, and six children.
“Earlier today, at about 12:00 p.m., an Isuzu pickup van with registration number XA265KKU, travelling from Kala-Balge to Gamboru Ngala, hit an IED near Furunduma village.
“This tragic event led to the deaths of 26 persons—16 males, four females, and six children,” Daso stated.
He added that the driver and two other victims sustained injuries and were taken to hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.
This latest bombing comes just 16 days after a similar incident along the Maiduguri–Damboa Road, which claimed eight lives and left 11 others seriously wounded when a passenger bus struck an IED.
Commenting on that earlier event, the police spokesperson said, “Today, around 11:45 a.m., we received a report of an incident in which a Hummer bus with registration number Jigawa MMR144, travelling from Damboa to Maiduguri, struck an IED at Komala village in Konduga Local Government Area. The device is suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram terrorists.”
Security forces have since stepped up patrols in the affected areas as investigations continue.