The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has claimed responsibility for a deadly bomb attack near Rann, located in Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State, which has now claimed 26 lives.
The attack occurred around 11 a.m. on Friday along the Furunduma axis, where an improvised explosive device (IED) went off, initially killing 17 people. Among the deceased were four women, six children, and seven other passengers, according to eyewitnesses and security personnel.
By Monday, more bodies were recovered from the surrounding bushland, pushing the total number of confirmed deaths to 26. A security source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that some of the victims were so badly burned they could not be identified.
“As of the latest count, the death toll stands at 26, including the earlier reported women and children,” the source confirmed.
ISWAP officially claimed responsibility for the attack in a Telegram statement posted on Tuesday, confirming the casualty figure.
In a separate but related incident, two Nigerian soldiers were killed by a suspected landmine planted by insurgents along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road. Sources told Daily Trust that the explosion occurred near Nyeliri, a deserted village in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
The District Head of Damboa, Alhaji Lawan Maina, confirmed the loss of the two soldiers.
Attempts by Daily Trust to reach the Police Public Relations Officer of Borno State Command, ASP Kenneth Daso, for comment were unsuccessful by as he did not respond to phone calls or text messages.