Teenager killed, another injured in IED blast in Borno farmland

Teenager killed, another injured in IED blast in Borno farmland

By: Zagazola Makama

A teenage girl was killed and another seriously injured following an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion suspected to have been planted by ISWAP terrorists in a farmland in Ngurno bush area, Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the victims, Fatima Mohammed, 16, and Hauwa Goni, 17, both residents of Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) IDP Camp Monguno, had gone to fetch water at a borehole in the bush about 70km from Monguno town when the incident occurred on June 29 at about 12:00 p.m.

Fatima stepped on the explosive device, which triggered a blast that shattered her legs fatally, while Hauwa sustained multiple injuries.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai alongside EOD-CBRN personnel, a military team, and members of the Civilian JTF and local hunters, swiftly mobilised to the scene. The area was cordoned off, cleared of additional explosives, and declared safe for public use.

The victims were evacuated to the General Hospital Monguno, where Fatima was confirmed dead on arrival, while Hauwa remains hospitalised and is responding to treatment.

The corpse of the deceased has since been released to her family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.

ISWAP elements have increasingly resorted to planting IEDs on footpaths and farmland in Borno’s remote areas to target civilians and security operatives.

Teenager killed, another injured in IED blast in Borno farmland