No fewer than eight Nigerian soldiers were killed after a military convoy struck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) allegedly planted by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.

The deadly explosion reportedly occurred on Thursday as troops attached to the 24 Task Force Brigade, Dikwa, were returning to their base from Maiduguri after escorting food supplies and other logistics.

A military source familiar with the incident said the convoy was heading back to Dikwa when the lead vehicle, a gun truck carrying soldiers, detonated the explosive device.

“Yesterday, Thursday, the leading vehicle, a gun truck, ran into an IED on their way back to Dikwa from Maiduguri. All the soldiers in that vehicle died on the spot. About eight of them,” the source was quoted as saying.

The source said the convoy had successfully delivered foodstuffs and other essential supplies to troops before the fatal attack occurred on the return journey.

The identities and ranks of the deceased soldiers had yet to be officially released as of the time of filing this report.

The latest attack underscores the persistent threat posed by ISWAP insurgents in the North-East despite ongoing military operations aimed at degrading terrorist activities in the region.