Nigeria, Sept. 23 -- Boko Haram factions are increasingly using dung to disguise improvised explosive devices (IEDs), in particular landmines, and boost their ignition.

These landmines are similar to conventional antipersonnel landmines - not in their shape and composition - but in their tactical use and mode of activation.

Nigerian army senior staff told researchers from the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) that animal excrement had been used to prevent the detection of IEDs in several parts of northeast Nigeria, including Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

Several humanitarian sources and state officials confirmed the increased use of livestock waste by Boko Haram factions Jama'tu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad (JAS) and Islamic ...