Boko Haram seizes ISWAP bases, chases 11 commanders, cleric from Lake Chad region
By Njadvara MUSA
Boko Haram has seized the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operational bases with the fleeing of 11 commanders and cleric in the Lake Chad region of Borno state.
The seized bases of the terror group are located in Abadam local Council.
A counter-insurgency expert, in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, yesterday (Tuesday), in Maiduguri disclosed that the seizure of the ISWAP bases; forced the commanders to flee along with a cleric of ISWAP, Abu Moussab al-Barnawi and 11 Commanders.
“The seizures of bases, led by the Boko Haram leader, Abu Umaimah with some militant commanders and other fighters also led to the killing of about100 ISWAP terrorists,” he said.
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A military source in Maiduguri, also disclosed that: “The violent clashes commenced on December 31, 2022, after the Boko Haram faction attacked three armory bases of ISWAP at Toumbum Allura Kurnawa and Kangar in Abadam local council.”
According to the source, the ISWAP terrorists were overpowered, during the 14-gunbattle that led to the killing of scores of them.
The source added that on January 2, 2023, Ali Ngulde, Amir Jaysh of Boko Haram, led five Khaids comprising Muke, from Mandara Mountains, Ali Ghana, from Ngauri, Abbah Tukur, from Mantari and Maimusari.
Makama said that Abu Isa joined them to attack ISWAP, killing scores of them and destroying gun trucks and other weapons.
“On January 8, the Boko Haram fighters also attacked another base of the ISWAP, located North of Kayowa and Toumbun Gini,” he said, stating that about killing 35 ISWAP fighters were injured.
On the fleeing of commanders, he said: “The Boko Haram fighters chased the ISWAP fighters towards the axis of Kangarwa and Dogon Chuku,” killing more fighters in the Lake Chad region.
Besides, he added that the major market of the ISWAP at Toumbun Gini, was captured by Boko Haram.
According to him, four teenage girls suspected to be wives of the ISWAP were also abducted in Kaula village.
Meanwhile, he said Al-Barnawi of Boko Haram has relocated to the south of Borno state in the Gol-Chillaria axis of Damboa local Council in Sambisa Forest.
He added that Al-Barnawi was received by Abbah Shuwa (Ba’a Shuwa), who was appointed as the Wali of the ISWAP in November 2022.
Makama noted that Shuwa was forced to operate from Gol and Chillaria due to the perennial flooding that submerged most of the camps in the Lake Chad region.
“The flooding, forced the active fighters and their families to relocate to six hideout communities at Jibularam, Kwalaram, Kusuma-Tumbumma, Chikun-Gudu, Bukar-Mairam and Abbaganaram general areas.”
According to him, the flooded camps are located in a dozen hideout communities in the Lake Chad region.
He noted that the Boko Haram fighters took advantage of the current challenges of the ISWAP enclaves with the targeted armory for seizures and destructions.
