ISWAP fighters kill 20 Boko Haram members in fierce Borno clash

In a fresh wave of infighting among terrorist groups in Borno State, about 20 Boko Haram members have been killed in a violent clash with their rivals from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

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

According to Makama, the area where the sects’ confrontation occurred extends into parts of the Diffa region in Niger Republic.

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.

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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.”