The Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, has claimed responsibility for Monday’s deadly bombing of a pickup van in Borno State, which killed about 26 travellers.
The Reuters reports that the terrorist group made the claim in a statement posted on its Telegram channel on Tuesday.
Recall that an Improvised Explosive Device, suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram insurgents, detonated under a moving vehicle traveling from Kala-Balge to Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area.
The tragic incident occurred around 12pm on Monday when the vehicle, an Isuzu pickup van, ran over the IED near Furunduma village.
Borno State Police Command’s spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, said the explosion killed 26 people, ncluding 16 men, four women, and six children.
“Earlier today at about 12:00 p.m., an Isuzu pickup van with registration number XA265KKU en route from Kala-Balge to Gamboru Ngala stepped on an IED around Furunduma village.
“The tragic incident led to the death of 26 persons—16 males, four females, and six children,” Daso said.
Meanwhile, six villagers from Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno state were killed in an attack by suspected ISWAP terrorists on Saturday.
Islamist insurgents ISWAP and Boko Haram have been battling Nigerian security forces for over a decade in the northeast.
The terrorists often use improvised explosive devices to target civilians and security forces.
