By HAN News Desk
NIGERIA — At least five soldiers have been killed after a military vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) in northern Nigeria, security officials have said.
The incident occurred when a vehicle carrying members of the security forces drove over the explosive, believed to have been planted by armed militants operating in the region. The blast destroyed the vehicle and killed all five soldiers on board, officials said.
The attack took place in a volatile area where government forces have been conducting operations against insurgent groups linked to Islamist militancy. No group has claimed responsibility, but similar attacks in the region are often attributed to Boko Haram or its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Local residents reported hearing a loud explosion, followed by the arrival of additional security forces who sealed off the area. The injured were taken to nearby medical facilities, though authorities have not confirmed whether there were any survivors.
Nigeria’s military has yet to issue an official statement, but an investigation is under way to determine how the explosive device was planted and to assess the security situation.
Northern Nigeria has endured years of violence, with repeated attacks targeting soldiers, police officers, and civilians. Despite intensified military operations, insurgent groups continue to carry out deadly ambushes using landmines and roadside bombs.
The latest attack highlights the persistent security challenges facing Nigerian forces as they seek to curb militant activity in the region.
