Nigerian security forces have uncovered and safely defused 56 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted beneath a critical bridge in the conflict-prone northeastern state of Borno, the military said on Saturday.
The devices were discovered during a targeted clearance operation conducted by army explosive ordnance disposal teams under the bridge linking the towns of Marte and Dikwa — two areas that have long been flashpoints in Nigeria’s protracted fight against Islamist insurgents.
In a statement issued by the army, officials said the successful operation averted what could have been a “devastating terrorist attack” on vital infrastructure. The intervention, according to the military, was made possible by what it called “the vigilance, professionalism, and swift response” of specialized bomb disposal units.
The bridge serves as a key logistical artery for both military convoys and humanitarian aid deliveries, and has previously been targeted by armed groups seeking to disrupt movement and instill fear in local communities.
No group has claimed responsibility for planting the explosives, but both Boko Haram and its splinter faction, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have been known to use IEDs extensively in their campaign of violence across the Lake Chad Basin.
Borno State has remained at the heart of Nigeria’s 15-year Islamist insurgency, which has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced over two million. Despite repeated military operations, insurgents continue to pose a significant threat, especially in remote and rural areas.
Military officials emphasized that clearance operations will continue across vulnerable corridors in the region, and urged residents to remain alert and report any suspicious activity.
