Four instantly killed and four others wounded in a massive improvised explosive device blast on the Kimba-Biu road in Borno State.

Four people have died and four others were wounded in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in the Biu Local Government Area of Borno State in Nigeria’s northeast.

The explosion occurred about 2.30pm on Wednesday, March 19, at the Sabon Garin, Kimba junction.

Zagazola Makama, a counterinsurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, said there was a “massive explosion” as the commercial vehicle in which the eight were travelling drove over a hidden IED.

Four people died instantly; four others were wounded and taken to the General Hospital Biu for attention.

Medical personnel said the bodies of the dead people were handed over to relatives for burial.

Authorities accused fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) of planting the IED. They said the group was likely targeting military personnel operating in the area.

Security operatives have secured the area and are conducting regular patrols.

RNI reporter