MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (BN24) — Nigerian Army troops operating under Operation HADIN KAI have safely recovered and detonated 14 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by terrorists in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, averting what military officials described as a potentially deadly tragedy.
The devices were uncovered during intensified clearance and counter-IED operations across farmlands and rural paths in Bitta and surrounding communities, where insurgents had strategically buried them to target both civilians and military personnel.
Security sources confirmed that the IEDs were deliberately placed along footpaths, farmland corridors, and access roads frequently used by locals and patrol teams, raising concerns over safety during the peak farming season. The targeted areas, crucial to local food production and military logistics, had become increasingly perilous before the Army’s intervention.
Military bomb disposal specialists safely detonated all recovered explosives in controlled operations, preventing casualties and restoring access to essential routes. Troops remain deployed across the region as further clearance operations continue to identify and neutralize additional threats.
The Nigerian Army’s ongoing operations in Borno are part of a broader strategy to dismantle terrorist infrastructure, protect civilians, and restore stability to insurgency-affected areas. Gwoza, once a stronghold of Boko Haram, has seen persistent threats from extremist groups despite military gains in the region.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to securing rural communities and ensuring that farming and daily activities can proceed without the looming danger of hidden explosives.
