A deadly explosion has claimed the lives of at least six suspected members of Islamic State West Africa Province after an improvised explosive device detonated prematurely in Marte.

Security sources indicate that the incident occurred early Saturday morning in the Jubilaram area, where the group was reportedly assembling explosives. The blast is believed to have been triggered accidentally during the process, destroying the site and killing those involved on the spot.

Among the casualties was a figure identified as Abu Umar, said to be a key bomb-making specialist within the group. Several others were also injured, with reports suggesting at least three members sustained serious wounds.

The affected unit was reportedly part of an IED production network operating along the Marte–Kerenoa–Wulgo corridor, a strategic movement route within the Lake Chad Basin frequently used by insurgents.

The incident comes shortly after a separate military operation involving Nigerian forces and their international partners targeted senior insurgent leadership in the region, further compounding setbacks for the group.

Military analysts believe the loss of trained bomb-makers and the destruction of the site could temporarily disrupt the group’s operational capabilities, particularly in deploying roadside explosives along key routes.

Security agencies are said to be assessing the situation for possible follow-up operations aimed at exploiting the disruption and limiting further militant activity in the area.