At least nine Nigerian soldiers have been confirmed dead following an explosion caused by improvised explosive devices, IEDs, along the Gubio axis of Borno State, according to security sources.
A senior military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity on Monday, said preliminary investigations indicated that the explosive devices were planted by Boko Haram insurgents.
The source explained that the affected troops were travelling from Maiduguri when the incident occurred over the weekend.
“While coming from Maiduguri on Saturday, the soldiers stopped at a camp along the route and were to continue their journey on Sunday,” the source said.
According to the source, several soldiers sustained severe injuries during the blast, with the death toll increasing after the initial explosion.
“Eight of the wounded died on Sunday, while one more soldier died this morning,” the source disclosed, confirming that the total number of fatalities has risen to nine.
He clarified that the attack was not a gunmen ambush but a deliberate planting of explosive devices along the route.
“It was not an ambush. The incident happened around Gubio and was caused by explosive devices planted on the road,” the source added.
The soldiers involved were said to be from the 145 Battalion, Damasak, under the 5 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri. The explosion reportedly occurred towards the evening hours on Sunday.
Images and video footage from the scene showed the devastating aftermath of the incident, with several soldiers lying lifeless and others suffering severe injuries consistent with a powerful blast.
Some of the victims were seen with dismembered body parts, pointing out the intensity of the explosion.
The attack is the latest in a string of deadly assaults on military personnel in Nigeria’s North-East, where Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have continued to target troops using roadside bombs and coordinated attacks.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army had not released an official statement on the incident.
In November 2025, suspected ISWAP fighters were reported to have ambushed a military convoy in the region, killing several soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force.
During that attack, insurgents also abducted a serving brigade commander and other personnel.
