BREAKING: Dozens Killed As Boko Haram, ISWAP Clash
A fight between the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorist group and its rival, Boko Haram has reportedly led to the death of over 100 terrorists.
A counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in Lake Chad, Zagazola Makama on Saturday said the fighting between the Bakoura Buduma Boko Haram faction and ISWAP reportedly left over 100 terrorists dead at Bakuram on the fringes of Lake Chad of Marte.
It was gathered that the battle which began at around noon on Saturday was still ongoing at the time of filing this report.
According to the report, the ISWAP faction considered it as a retaliation for the abduction of 60 of its fighters and three commanders by the Boko Haram rival group.
The latest encounter, according to sources, was led by one Abou Idris, a former Chief of Operations for the Boko Haram Bakoura group who left to join ISWAP.
Sources told the counter-insurgency expert that there were casualties on both sides but the ISWAP group had killed more of the Boko Haram terrorists.
“As we speak now the battle is still ongoing with over 100 of the terrorists killed on both sides,” one of the sources was quoted as saying.
Earlier, it was reported that ISWAP had invited Boko Haram to a gunfight in Sambisa Forest in Borno State, northeast Nigeria.
Zagazola on Friday said he had received an exclusive letter written by ISWAP, challenging Boko Haram to a fight.
Both terrorist groups have been engaged in a supremacy battle in Nigeria for years. There have been many clashes between them in the Northeast which have resulted in the death of hundreds of terrorists on both sides.
According to Zagazola, the invitation letter was written by the ISWAP group to the Boko Haram faction of Abubakar Shekau.
In the letter addressed to Boko Haram, the ISWAP said, “We warned you about what you are doing; from killing, destroying people’s properties, and abusing the courses of our Jihad.”
ISWAP also accused the Boko Haram group of misleading people, spreading falsehood, withholding the truth, engaging in corruption and raping women in the name of worshipping God.
“Beware, beware, get ready, we will follow you for leading our people astray. And the attack will be on this date: 57/Rabi Al-Awwal/9448 AH corresponding to 94/August/5252 AD.”
Zagazola noted that the Boko Haram faction accepted the challenge and that the battle took place in Gaizuwa with many killed on both sides.
“Both groups are warming up for the next battle. Time and Vlvenue unannounced,” he said.
A Boko Haram commander was seen in a recent video showering praises on the fighters of the insurgent group for their victory and for displacing rival ISWAP terrorists in the Baga area of Borno.
In the video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter by Zagazola, the Boko Haram commander addressed the fighters in Hausa language.
The Boko Haram commander said, “As we all know, it’s going on in our minds that sometimes if you are overwhelmed with happiness, there are certain things you wouldn’t be happy about if you don’t say it with your mouth.
“That’s why the person that is representing us, because he was unable to be with us, due to some unforeseen circumstances, assigned me to visit you.
“As you know, the religion of Islam is what brought us together and thankfully we have seen this in you. If there are youths like you, then the infidels will never be happy. For example, when we came here to stay in Baga, the infidels were unhappy with this and made many proposals for Baga to be ravaged by war.
“They have tried many times but the Almighty stopped their plan because there are men that are not afraid of death. Had it been there were men who were afraid of death, then they would have taken over this town, but God by his grace left it for his servant, and they even lost control of places they previously held.”
“Standing firm by our religion is what made this possible. Had it been that when they came, the courage of the Mujahideen had been shattered, they would have come to stay in this town and they would do whatever pleases them,” he said referring to the ISWAP group.
In another 26-second video, Boko Haram insurgents were seen celebrating in their camp after reportedly capturing 60 ISWAP fighters including three commanders.
