20 killed as ISWAP fighters, Boko Haram members clash in Borno

In a renewed wave of infighting between terrorist factions in Borno State, at least 20 Boko Haram insurgents have been killed in a violent confrontation with their rivals from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Security analyst Zagazola Makama shared the development in a post on his X account on Tuesday, revealing that ISWAP fighters ambushed Boko Haram members in a riverine area of Abadam Local Government Area.

Makama further noted that the clash took place in a region that extends into parts of the Diffa region in Niger Republic, highlighting the cross-border nature of terrorist activities in the Lake Chad Basin.

He said members of the ISWAP group had launched the surprise attack on Boko Haram fighters on Monday, March 3, killing at least 20 of them.

Trouble started for the Boko Haram members when ISWAP directed all residents of the area to clear the thick vegetation between Dabar Giwa village in Kukawa Local Government Area and Garin Mallam Ya’u.

Makama said following the clearing of the area, the hiding positions of the Boko Haram fighters were exposed.

He said these Boko Haram members had been hiding in their perceived position since February 27, preparing for a counterattack against ISWAP but were caught unaware by the group.

Makama write on X,

“Contrary to Boko Haram’s planned ambush, ISWAP launched a well-coordinated offensive, targeting insurgent camps located between Tumbun Kwatar Mota and Tumbun Marakirya, near a former ISWAP stronghold in Tumbun Gini.”