Nine soldiers killed after convoy hits landmine in Borno community
Nine Nigerian soldiers have been killed after their convoy struck a landmine while on patrol in a Borno State community, military sources and eyewitnesses have confirmed. The tragic incident occurred on a rural road near a settlement in the northeastern part of the state, where troops were conducting routine operations against armed insurgent groups. According to officials, the soldiers’ armoured vehicles were moving in a convoy when one of the units detonated an improvised explosive device believed to have been planted by militants, causing a powerful explosion that killed nine service members instantly and left others injured.
Rescue teams and fellow soldiers quickly moved to the scene to recover the fallen and treat the wounded, with the injured rushed to nearby military medical facilities for emergency care. Commanders at the operation described the loss as devastating but reiterated the ongoing commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to defeating terrorism and restoring peace in the region. Borno State has been at the centre of counter-insurgency efforts for years, with troops regularly facing threats from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters who continue to use landmines and other explosive tactics to target security forces and civilians.
The Defence Headquarters issued a statement mourning the soldiers’ deaths and offering condolences to their families, noting that military operations will continue despite the heavy loss. Commanders also stressed the importance of vigilance, improved intelligence gathering and mine-resistant equipment to prevent similar tragedies in future engagements. Local authorities and community leaders in Borno joined in mourning, with many residents expressing sorrow over the continued human toll of the insurgency and the bravery of troops who put their lives at risk to protect communities.
The tragic event underscores ongoing security challenges in northeastern Nigeria and the continued dangers faced by uniformed personnel operating in volatile areas. Officials said investigations are underway to pinpoint the exact circumstances of the explosion, and efforts to clear roads of explosive threats will be intensified in cooperation with local informants and military engineers.
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