Mine event in Nigeria on Thu 18th April 2024

At least 10 people were killed and 23 injured when a mine exploded in north-east Nigeria, a region that has suffered from jihadism for years. The victims were farmers and fishermen travelling from the garrison town of Monguno to the shores of Lake Chad. Their vehicle hit a suspected landmine laid by jihadists from the Islamic State in West Africa (Iswap) linked to the EI, the sources said. Iswap members have been pushed out of several areas they controlled, but are still active in remote areas where they attack convoys leaving army-protected towns. "The vehicle hit an explosive placed on the road near the Mosquito camp, three kilometres from Monguno, at around 9.30am, causing an explosion that destroyed the vehicle", said Musa Kaka, a member of an anti-jihadist militia that supports the Nigerian army. "We found 10 dead bodies and 23 wounded at the scene", added Mr Kaka. The dead were buried on Wednesday, while the wounded were taken to a hospital in the town, said Bello Adamu, another anti-jihadist militiaman who gave the same figures. Another militia leader, Umar Ari, also confirmed the death toll. AFP contacted the Nigerian army for a reaction, but so far there has been no response.