In what could have been a horrific tragedy, troops of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully uncovered and removed 56 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters along the Marte–Dikwa bridge in Borno State.
The potentially deadly discovery was made during a routine clearance patrol by the 24 Brigade in Dikwa, in northeastern Nigeria — a region long plagued by insurgent threats. The quick action of the soldiers likely saved dozens, if not hundreds, of lives, as the explosives were rigged in key positions on the bridge used regularly by both civilians and security forces.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama shared details of the operation on Friday via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, confirming that the IEDs were expertly concealed and designed to inflict mass casualties and cripple movement along the strategic route.
Military insiders described the find as a narrowly averted catastrophe. “Had those devices gone off, it would’ve been devastating,” one officer said. “Civilians, soldiers — anyone could’ve been caught in the blast.”
The Marte–Dikwa corridor remains one of the most volatile zones in Borno, often targeted by terror groups looking to disrupt military logistics and terrorize local communities. But despite the danger, troops have continued to hold the line, pushing back with intensified clearance operations to flush out insurgents and secure critical routes.
Efforts are currently underway to trace the network behind the attempted bombing. Military authorities say intelligence teams are following leads to uncover hidden cells and prevent future attacks.
For now, the bridge stands intact — thanks to a team of brave soldiers who spotted danger before it was too late.
