No fewer than nine Nigerian soldiers have been confirmed dead following an explosion caused by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) near Gubio in Borno State.
A senior military source confirmed the development on Monday, noting that preliminary investigations revealed the explosives were planted by Boko Haram insurgents along the route.
The troops were said to be travelling from Maiduguri when the incident occurred.
“While coming from Maiduguri town on Saturday, they stopped at one camp on the road so they could continue their journey on Sunday,” the source explained.
He further clarified that the tragedy was not the result of a direct ambush but of explosive devices planted on the road.
“The incident happened at Gubio. It was not an ambush; it was caused by explosive devices,” he said.
According to the source, several soldiers sustained injuries during the blast, and the death toll rose as some of the wounded later passed away.
“Eight died yesterday (Sunday) among those who sustained injuries, while one just died this morning. Nine people have been confirmed dead already,” he added.
The affected personnel were identified as soldiers from 145 Damasak under 5 Brigade, Maiduguri, Borno State, with the incident reportedly occurring on Sunday evening.
The explosion marks yet another deadly attack on Nigerian troops in the North-East, where Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents continue to target military operations using improvised explosives and sporadic gun attacks.
Military authorities are yet to issue an official statement as operations intensify in the affected area.