IN a major counterinsurgency success, troops of the Nigerian Army have intercepted Boko Haram terrorists attempting to plant improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on a critical bridge along the Dikwa–Marte road in Borno State.
News Point Nigeria reports that the attempted sabotage, aimed at crippling troop movement and isolating communities, was thwarted after a heavy firefight forced the insurgents to abandon their mission and flee into the surrounding terrain.
Two heavy-duty IEDs, alongside assault weapons, were recovered from the scene.
The operation was part of a broader offensive by the Northeast Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, which has intensified efforts to root out terrorist elements from strongholds in the Lake Chad basin, Sambisa Forest, and the Mandara Mountains.
Speaking in an interview with News Point Nigeria via telephone, Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsallam Abubakar, praised the troops for their courage and swift action.
“While on a clearance patrol along the Dikwa–Marte route, our troops engaged Boko Haram fighters who were trying to lay IEDs on a bridge. The encounter led to a shootout, after which the terrorists fled, leaving behind two large IEDs.
“These were safely recovered by our explosive ordnance disposal teams,” Abubakar said.
He added that troops had been operating “deep into enemy territory” in recent weeks, targeting key terrorist enclaves.
“Our men have launched coordinated offensives into the heart of Sambisa, the Mandara mountains, and communities along Lake Chad. There is clear progress — the terrorists are on the run and we are actively pursuing them,” he stated.
In addition to foiling the bombing attempt, the army confirmed that nine Boko Haram insurgents were neutralized in separate operations across Bama, Gwoza, and Konduga Local Government Areas.
The army also recovered weapons, including AK-47 rifles and PKT machine guns, disrupting the terrorists’ ability to regroup or rearm.
The Theatre Commander disclosed that the latest success was the result of joint operations involving multiple branches of the Nigerian military.
“This is a multi-pronged offensive. The Nigerian Navy is providing vital support around Lake Chad, the Nigerian Army is leading the ground assault, and the Nigerian Air Force continues to deliver precision air strikes. Our coordination has been excellent, and morale is high,” Abubakar explained.
Maj. Gen. Abubakar said the army remains committed to securing liberated communities and ensuring they do not fall again under terrorist control.
“Our goal is clear never again will communities freed from Boko Haram fall back into their hands. We are building on our momentum, and our troops are motivated and confident,” he said.
He also highlighted increased stability in areas bordering Lake Chad, previously considered highly volatile.
“There has been relative peace along the fringes of Lake Chad, thanks to the pressure we are putting on the terrorists. They are disoriented and weakened. The days of their impunity are numbered,” he said.
The attempted attack on the Dikwa–Marte bridge underscores the continuing threat posed by Boko Haram and its ISWAP splinter group, especially in targeting infrastructure critical to civilian and military mobility.
Bridges in the Northeast have historically been strategic targets for insurgents seeking to disrupt movement, isolate communities, or ambush patrols.
However, sustained military offensives have drastically reduced their ability to launch large-scale coordinated attacks.
The military’s latest gains are likely to boost public confidence, particularly in rural and returning communities that have long borne the brunt of insurgent violence.