Crime
Escalated ISWAP/Boko Haram Clashes Claim Over 100 Fighters
Escalated ISWAP/Boko Haram Clashes Claim Over 100 Fighters
By: Zagazola Makama
Fierce rivalry clashes between Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terror groups escalated in the Lake Chad Basin over the last one week, claiming over 100 of the fighters of both groups.
From April 18 to April 24, the clashes between Boko Haram factions and ISWAP flared up across the riverine islands of the Tumbums, with the ISWAP gaining more footholds and dislodging the Boko Haram rival factions.
Shortly after ISWAP received a fresh consignment of weapons from Mali, through Niger to Dogon Chukwu Kangarwa, it declared a renewed war, issuing a stern directive to its fighters to completely exterminate the members of the JAS Buduma Boko Haram factions on April 18.
Prior to the clashes, Boko Haram JAS has moved several fighters from upper parts of the riverine Niger to take defensive positions in Kukawa in Borno, while another sets of armed fighters were moved to the Nigeria- Cameroon borders, occupying Dawashi, Dabar Wanzam, Kiri Bulla in Kukawa as well as Lokobili and Kandahar in Cameroon.
On its parts, ISWAP mounted on 20 water vessels, conveying 130 fighters to Doron Kirta Wulgo near Nigeria- Cameroon. More ISWAP fighters arrived from Kwalaram, while others trooped in from Ngala and Marte, in preparation for the major encounter.
The clash, which erupted on April 19, at Garin Mallam Ya’u, and Mallam Karamti when ISWAP led by Commander Akilu, led to the killing of several Boko Haram fighters.
The ISWAP elements later seized six of JAS Boko Haram’s motorcycles and destroyed them in the process.
In another encounter, JAS elements swiftly cordoned and captured about 15 ISWAP members at Tumbum Abuja. The clash however did not last long and subsided immediately after the capture of the rival counterpart.
On the same day, ISWAP fighters stormed Tumbum Allura, in Kukawa LGA and killed several Boko Haram fighters. ISWAP, however, lost a few of its fighters in the process while forcing the surviving JAS fighters to flee.
The ISWAP fighters chased the fleeing Boko Haram fighters to the axis of Kariya and Koleram in Kukawa, which led to another gun battle.
Again, the ISWAP fighters overpowered the rival group and killed scores of the Boko Haram fighters, including a top Commander, Khaid Allayi Gana.
Seventy armed JAS Boko Haram men later returned to Garin Mallam Ya’u to bury its neutralized Mujahedeens, while counting its losses and licking its wounds.
The intensified rival clashes forced about 10 Boko Haram fighters to surrender with arms to the troops of Sector 4, Multinational Joint Task Force at Nguiguimi, Diffa region, Niger Republic.
Two other fighters surrendered to troops of Sector 3, Multi National Joint Task Force(MNJTF) in Monguno.
The JAS group, led by Ibrahim Bakura Doro aka Bakaura Buduma, has remained a formidable enemy of ISWAP ever since Shekau’s death. It has repeatedly attacked ISWAP positions around the lake.
The ISWAP, on the other hand, have upscaled efforts to reclaim its position taken control by the JAS group.
Both ISWAP and JAS have lost more fighters from rival clashes with each other since 2021 than in confrontations with government security forces.
The incessant, and ever worsening, clashes between ISWAP and Boko Haram has continued to provide ampler opportunities for government security forces to seize, to craft strategies to exterminate the two rival groups and stamp out the terror scorching the Lake Chad Basin.
Escalated ISWAP/Boko Haram Clashes Claim Over 100 Fighters
Nigeria Secures $62.8m Kuwait Loan to Boost Climate-Resilient Schools, Inclusive Education
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria’s partnership with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development has yielded a $62.8 million concessional loan aimed at transforming the country’s education sector through climate-resilient infrastructure, improved teacher training and expanded access for vulnerable children.
The Federal Government disclosed this in Abuja during celebrations marking Kuwait’s 65th National Day and 35th Liberation Day.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, represented by Ambassador Bukar Buni Hamman, Director of the Regions Department, said the financing agreement signed in 2025 reflects the growing depth of Nigeria–Kuwait relations and their shared commitment to human capital development.
He explained that the loan is being deployed to upgrade school facilities to withstand climate-related challenges, strengthen teacher capacity and ensure that girls and children with disabilities have improved access to quality learning.
According to him, the collaboration demonstrates how bilateral diplomacy is translating into measurable social impact.
“Kuwait has remained a trusted development partner. Our cooperation has moved beyond formal ties to practical interventions that directly address Nigeria’s social and economic priorities,” he said.
Ahmed added that both countries are broadening engagement in key sectors including agriculture, food security, renewable energy, infrastructure development and digital connectivity. He noted that subnational governments in Nigeria are also positioning themselves to attract Kuwaiti investment.
Kuwait’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Salim Almuzayen, described the occasion as a celebration not only of Kuwait’s national milestones but also of enduring partnerships built on mutual respect and sustainable development goals.
He cited the “Reaching Out-of-School Children” initiative in Kaduna State — funded by the Kuwait Fund in collaboration with UNICEF — as a leading example of cooperation between both nations. The project is designed to reintegrate more than 200,000 out-of-school children into formal education.
Almuzayen said Kuwait’s global development engagement is guided by a moderate foreign policy and a long-term vision focused on shared prosperity. Since its establishment in 1961, the Kuwait Fund has financed development projects in over 100 countries across critical sectors such as education, health and infrastructure.
The $62.8 million facility marks a significant boost for Nigeria’s education reform drive, particularly at a time when climate adaptation and inclusive access remain central to national policy objectives.
With both governments signaling deeper collaboration, stakeholders say the agreement underscores a maturing bilateral relationship anchored on practical development outcomes rather than symbolic diplomacy.
Nigeria Secures $62.8m Kuwait Loan to Boost Climate-Resilient Schools, Inclusive Education
Farmer killed, another injured in herder attack in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
A Fulani farmer has been killed while another sustained injuries following an attack by unknown herders in Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Sources told Zagazola that the incident occurred on Feb. 11, 2026, at about 5:00 p.m. in Azbak Village. The victims, Abdulrahaman Audu, 30, and Ya’u Umaru, were reportedly tending to their tomato farms when two unidentified herders with grazing sheep trespassed onto their farmland.
According to sources, when the farmers cautioned the herders, the assailants allegedly attacked them with cutlasses, inflicting severe injuries.
The victims were rushed to Specialist Hospital Gashua for treatment. Abdulrahaman Audu, however, died on admission, while Ya’u Umaru remains under medical care and is reportedly responding to treatment.
The body of the deceased was released to his family for burial according to Islamic rites.
Police in Yobe confirmed that investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend the fleeing culprits.
This incident draw attention to the ongoing tensions between farmers and herders in Yobe State, with clashes over farmland and livestock management increasingly resulting in fatalities and injuries.
Farmer killed, another injured in herder attack in Yobe
Troops, police repel bandits attack in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army and the police have successfully repelled armed bandits who attacked Ankpali Village in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State early Wednesday.
According to sources, at about 2:45 a.m., the security forces received distress call indicating that the village was under attack.
Reinforcements from the Nigerian Army and 80 PMF arrived to support the operation. In the ensuing crossfire, the bandits were forced to retreat, and one assailant was shot dead. His body was removed and deposited at the local mortuary.
Security sources said efforts are ongoing to track the fleeing suspects and apprehend those involved in the attack.
Residents commended the swift response of the security forces, noting that their intervention prevented further loss of lives and property.
Troops, police repel bandits attack in Benue
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