Eight Nigerian soldiers have reportedly died after their patrol vehicle struck a landmine in Borno State.
The explosion occurred on Saturday in Kinuba village, about 25 kilometres from Gamboru, near Nigeria’s border with Cameroon.
Defence sources told AFP that suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants were believed to be responsible.
The soldiers were reportedly monitoring anti-jihadist militia members clearing thick vegetation along a highway when the blast struck.
All eight occupants of the vehicle were said to have died in the explosion.
A military officer in the region confirmed the casualties, saying, “All eight soldiers in the vehicle were killed in the explosion.”
Ibrahim Liman, a militia member supporting military operations, also confirmed the death toll.
He explained that the explosive had been placed along the unpaved road and detonated remotely.
“The explosive was planted on the dusty road and remotely detonated by a detonating cord,” Liman stated.
He added that a militia member overseeing the vegetation-clearing operation suffered shrapnel injuries during the blast.
The Borno State landmine attack happened as troops continued efforts to counter militant activity along roads and rural communities.
Thick vegetation can provide cover for explosives and ambushes, increasing risks for security personnel and other road users.
The incident also came on the same day Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu visited Maiduguri, the state capital.
His visit followed an earlier attack on a military base that reportedly killed 15 soldiers and five anti-jihadist militia members.
ISWAP was blamed for the latest explosion, although the reported responsibility has not been independently confirmed in the available information.
The deaths highlight the continuing security challenges facing military personnel and local militia groups fighting insurgents in northeastern Nigeria.
