15 Boko Haram Fighters Killed in Fierce Supremacy Battle with ISWAP in Tumbum Kare

By: Zagazola Makama

A deadly clash of supremacy between rival terrorist factions has claimed the lives of 15 Boko Haram fighters, with five Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) members sustaining injuries.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the confrontation occurred when ISWAP launched a coordinated attack on Boko Haram fighters loyal to the Bakura Buduma faction.

The assault, aimed at asserting dominance, led to significant losses on the Boko Haram side, with ISWAP fighters seizing an undisclosed number of weapons during the confrontation.

The incident marks the latest in a series of violent infightings between the two groups, which have been engaged in a bitter rivalry over resources, territorial control, and influence in the Lake Chad region.

Sources said that the clashes have intensified in recent months as both groups seek to expand their foothold in the area with the Boko Haram faction already gaining upper hand against the ISWAP.

15 Boko Haram Fighters Killed in Fierce Supremacy Battle with ISWAP in Tumbum Kare

MNJTF Troops Neutralize Six ISWAP Terrorists in Failed Attack on Darak Base

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) successfully repelled an early morning attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on their base in Darak, Cameroon.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack, launched at about 1:00 a.m., on Wednesday was met with swift resistance from the troops, leading to the deaths of at least six ISWAP fighters and injuries to four others.

The MNJTF, in a counter offensive operation, effectively thwarted the assault, leaving the terrorists with significant casualties while the troops recorded five injuries.

Meanwhile, intelligence sources have revealed major leadership shakeups within the ISWAP ranks. Abu Usman has reportedly been appointed as the new Fiye (leader) of Marte, replacing Abu Sale. Other notable changes include:

Further intelligence suggests that ISWAP is planning an attack on Wulgo in Marte Local Government Area, Borno State or Malam Fatori.

The group has reportedly acquired three additional gun trucks, making the numbers to their Guntrucks to be 10 from Kangarwa to bolster their operational capacity.

MNJTF Troops Neutralize Six ISWAP Terrorists in Failed Attack on Darak Base

Stakeholders Insist Failure of Governance at Community Level Responsible for Terrorism, Banditry

By: Michael Mike

The explosion of terrorism and banditry in the country has been traced to failure of governance especially at the community level, which is the closest to every citizenry.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Community of Practice for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Knowledge, Innovation, and Resources in Abuja, the Chairman of the Partnership Against Violent Extremism Network, Jaye Gaskia described violent extremism as a “governance challenge” rather security matter.

This event is an integral part of a process, aimed at fostering a more strategic and structural approach and relationship between Knowledge and Practice, named Inaugural Conference Of A Preventing And Countering Violent Extremism Community Of Practice (PCVE CoP), driven by a PCVE Knowledge Innovation And Resource Hub (KIRH); under the Overarching Theme of – Reflecting On The Implementation Of The PCVE PFNAP (Policy Framework And National Action Plan).

Gaskia said: “Governance failures, is not just security issues, but lie at the heart of violent extremism in Nigeria,” insisting that: “Extremism doesn’t thrive in places with good governance, inclusion, and representation.”

He lamented that many Nigerian communities are effectively “ungoverned spaces,” relying on informal self-governance structures like community development associations, which lack formal authority.

He called for the empowerment of these local institutions to bridge governance gaps and drive sustainable solutions.

Gaskia noted that “Communities must be at the forefront of finding and implementing solutions to violent extremism,” adding that addressing governance challenges would mitigate the conditions that allow extremism to thrive.

Also at the event, the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Major General Adamu Laka highlighted the importance of youth and women-focused programmes like the Young Peacebuilders Network, which have fostered alternative pathways and strengthened community-driven peacebuilding.

He said: “Capacity-building initiatives have bolstered the skills of law enforcement, community leaders, and other stakeholders.”

However, he noted that persistent challenges, including limited resources, socioeconomic inequalities, and extremists’ exploitation of digital platforms for recruitment and propaganda.

Laka, who was represented by the Director of Policy and Strategy at the Centre, Commodore Ahmed Abubakarr Madaki,
emphasized the need for grassroots ownership of counter-extremism initiatives, stating that: “Adopting local ownership through participatory planning and budgeting at state and community levels, alongside strengthened capacity-building for state actors, will ensure sustainable progress.”

He also called for deeper collaboration with international organisations, academia, and the private sector to provide additional resources and expertise.

Reacting to a report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) which revealed that N2.3 trillion was paid as ransom in Nigeria in one year, Ms. Yetunde Adegoke, National Coordinator of the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, described the situation as alarming.

She said: “We’ve been monitoring the growing problem and are aware of the scale.”

She however noted that: “The government is aware and has advised scaling up community resilience programmes.”

Adegoke also underscored the importance of “non-kinetic” approaches to complement military efforts.

“Once insurgents surrender, we must ensure there are opportunities for reintegration and contributions to national development.”

On her part, Deputy Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Suwaiba Dankabo,, stressed the importance of consistent evaluation of strategies to ensure progress in peacebuilding.

She said: “We need to reflect on what has worked and what hasn’t to address the issues undermining peace in Nigeria.”

Stakeholders Insist Failure of Governance at Community Level Responsible for Terrorism, Banditry