Troops Avert Tragedy as IED Explodes During Route Clearance Patrol in Kukawa
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully averted a potential tragedy after encountering a booby-trap improvised explosive device (IED) during a routine route clearance operation along the Cross Kauwa–Kekeno–Monguno Main Supply Route (MSR) in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22, when troops of the 123 Special Forces Battalion were conducting a routine MSR scanning patrol at Dowoshi village.
According to the sources, the patrol team detected and triggered a concealed booby-trap IED emplaced by terrorists along the route.
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Following the explosion, the Brigade’s Mine Search Team (MST) was immediately deployed to reinforce troops at the scene and cordon off the affected area to prevent further danger and facilitate exploitation of the site.
Fortunately, no contact was made with the terrorists, while no personnel or equipment casualties were recorded during the incident.
Military sources said fragments recovered from the exploded IED have been forwarded to the Headquarters Theatre Command in Maiduguri for forensic analysis to aid ongoing counter-IED operations and intelligence gathering.
The incident underscores the persistent threat posed by terrorists through the use of improvised explosive devices along critical supply routes in the Lake Chad region, even as troops continue sustained clearance operations to ensure freedom of movement for military convoys and civilians.
Sources added that troops remain vigilant, with morale and fighting efficiency described as high as operations continue across the theatre.