A hunter has died after an accidental explosion during a joint security patrol with military personnel in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The incident reportedly occurred on April 24 at about 10:15 a.m. while troops of the 232 Battalion (Tactical), working alongside local hunters, were conducting a fighting patrol around the Member Farm and Dogon Kuka areas.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, who disclosed the incident, the patrol team had completed its operation and was returning along the Garkida-Gombi axis when the tragic explosion happened.

Preliminary reports indicate that one of the hunters accidentally stepped on a primed rocket-propelled grenade tube that was inside the patrol’s gun truck, triggering a partial explosion.

The blast caused severe injuries to the hunter, including a serious fracture to his left leg.

Emergency response and death

Following the explosion, the injured hunter was immediately evacuated to a nearby medical facility for urgent treatment. Despite efforts to save his life, he later died from the injuries sustained in the incident. The joint patrol was part of ongoing efforts by security forces and local vigilante groups to combat insurgency and maintain stability in parts of Adamawa State and the wider Lake Chad region.

Such collaborations between the military and local hunters have become a key component of security operations, particularly in rural areas where local knowledge is crucial for tracking and responding to threats.

The incident highlights the risks associated with operating in conflict-prone environments, where unexploded ordnance and abandoned weapons continue to pose dangers to both security personnel and civilians.