Nearly 2,000 IED Incidents Recorded in Nigeria’s North-East Over Seven Years
A new security report has revealed that 1,934 improvised explosive device (IED) incidents occurred across Nigeria’s North-East between 2017 and 2024, highlighting a persistent and evolving threat to national security.
The 2025 Nigeria Mine Action Review, obtained on Wednesday, indicates that road-emplaced IEDs were the primary weapon of choice for insurgents, consistently outnumbering body-borne and vehicle-borne attacks throughout the period.
A Seven-Year Statistical Breakdown
The data shows that while total annual incidents have fluctuated, the reliance on road-based explosives remains the most significant risk to civilians and troops.
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Peak Year (2017): 381 incidents, the highest in the reporting period.
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Declining Phase (2018–2019): Cases dropped from 267 to 189.
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Resurgence (2020–2021): Incidents rose again, peaking at 281 in 2021.
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Current Stability (2023–2024): Both years recorded exactly 191 incidents, with 2024 seeing a high concentration of road-emplaced devices (174).
Insurgents Adapting Tactics
Speaking at a Counter-IED workshop in Abuja on March 11, 2026, Major General Adamu Laka, Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), warned that insurgents are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Laka noted that detonation methods have evolved from simple wire and telephone controls to advanced pressure plates. He described a “cat-and-mouse” game where terrorists adapt as soon as security forces develop a counter-measure.
“In response [to our success], the insurgents began placing a second device on top of the pressure plate,” Maj Gen Laka explained. “By the time the first device was removed, the second one would explode. I can tell you that the effect is devastating.”
Persistent Threat to Infrastructure
The report emphasizes that IEDs remain the most lethal challenge faced by troops in counter-terrorism operations. Beyond the military impact, these devices continue to target critical infrastructure and disrupt the daily lives of thousands of Nigerians in the North-East and North-West regions.
Authorities are now calling for enhanced technical training and advanced detection equipment to keep pace with the rapidly changing tactics of insurgent groups.
