50 fighters killed as rival Boko Haram factions clash in Borno

The escalating rivalry between Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS), two factions of Boko Haram, has resulted in over 50 deaths during intense clashes near Kachalla Kellori village in Mobbar Local Government Area, Borno State.

According to a report on Saturday by counterinsurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, intelligence sources revealed that the conflict began on January 20 when ISWAP launched an offensive against JAS fighters, forcing them to retreat towards Gashigar in disarray.

During the pursuit, several JAS members were captured, while others sought refuge in abandoned villages nearby.

In retaliation, JAS fighters mounted a counter-attack on ISWAP forces at Maleri Zoriaya village, about 2 kilometers southeast of Kachalla Kellori, on January 21. This marked a significant escalation in hostilities between the factions, as both groups vie for control of strategic smuggling routes and territorial dominance in northern Nigeria.

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The rivalry is fueled by competition over illicit trade routes connecting Geidam, Diffa (Niger), and the Lake Chad Basin. These routes, used to transport goods like fish, grains, and textiles, generate significant revenue for insurgent groups through tolls and bribes from traders, customs officials, and border agents.

Sources further revealed that ISWAP’s growing influence in the Gashigar region is bolstered by foreign fighters linked to ISIS-affiliated groups in the Sahel and Maghreb. The influx of support has enabled ISWAP to establish new camps and strengthen its control over key smuggling routes, further destabilizing the region.

Meanwhile, the emergence of an independent faction led by Bakoura, which reportedly does not align with global terrorist organizations like ISIS or al-Qaeda, could become a critical factor in the shifting dynamics of northern Nigeria’s insurgency.

The porous borders between Diffa, Niger, and Mobbar, Borno, have become increasingly volatile, with both factions fighting for control of traditional strongholds, including the River Komadougou Yobe area. Recent clashes in Lamburam and Kachalla Kellori villages highlight the intensity of their battle for supremacy.

Security analysts said that that the ongoing infighting exposes vulnerabilities within the factions, offering an opportunity for Nigerian security forces to dismantle their networks and weaken their operational capacity. However, the growing presence of foreign fighters and mercenaries presents a renewed challenge to regional stability.