An Army captain and two other soldiers were reportedly killed when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded at Maciyan-Kyada Village in the Babanna Ward of Borgu Local Council of Niger State.

A security source said two other soldiers sustained injuries in the explosion, noting that the troops were leaving Babanna town at about 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday for a routine patrol when one of their vehicles ran over an IED suspected to have been planted by terrorists.

According to the source, “three soldiers lost their lives, including a captain, while two others sustained injuries.”

Though military authorities were yet to officially comment on the explosion as of press time, a resident also confirmed the incident on the grounds of anonymity.