News
EXCLUSIVE: Boko Haram–ISWAP rivalry escalates into full-scale territorial war across island corridors
EXCLUSIVE: Boko Haram–ISWAP rivalry escalates into full-scale territorial war across island corridors
By: Zagazola Makama
The Lake Chad Basin is witnessing a dangerous escalation in insurgent-on-insurgent warfare, as a fresh wave of violent clashes between rival jihadist factions Boko Haram’s Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) intensifies across strategic island strongholds and riverine settlement routes in Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.
Between 5 and 8 November 2025, Boko Haram’s Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) launched a fierce coordinated assault on its rival faction, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), across a stretch of islands identified as Sahel 1, Dogon Chuku, Mangari, and linked riverine basins spanning Tumbun Gini – Tumbun Dalo – Tumbun Shanu – Mangari – Dumba in Abadam and Kukawa local government areas of Borno State.
The fighting was intense. The objective was clear. JAS wants to erase ISWAP. Sources revealed that JAS fighters, led by commanders Hassan Buduma and Mohd Hassan, mobilised multiple watercraft loaded with fighters and heavy weapons, moving in waves from Tumbun Gini through the upper river basin to Tumbun Dalo, Tumbun Shanu, Mangari, Dumba and surrounding islands, a chain of sandy enclaves where humanitarian presence is almost non-existent.
In a scene described as “an amphibious assault in insurgent style,” JAS fighters attacked ISWAP from the water, surprising them at dawn. “This is not a misunderstanding, this is a takeover,”said one intelligence source familiar with the region.
However, after days of sustained fighting,
ISWAP fighters were forced to abandon their river camps scrambling for their lives.
The number of casualties remains unknown, but ISR reportedly picked up heat signatures of several bodies floating and others buried in shallow sand pits.
Multiple sources also confirmed that JAS deployed several motorized watercraft in a multi-axis assault, overrunning ISWAP clusters and pushing surviving fighters off the island perimeter into mainland hideouts around Ali Jillimari, Metele, Kangarwa, and Gudumbali in North of Borno.
While both groups share an extremist ideology, the battle has nothing to do with religion. It is about power. Control of the Lake Chad islands means control of millions of naira collected through extortion of fishermen and traders, they will also take control of the Arms and fuel smuggling corridors through Niger, Chad and Cameroon. They will also have mobility advantage where the water channels provide a perfect cover from air surveillance.
ISWAP had dominated these islands since 2021, after the death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau. But water levels have receded this season, opening new land routes and exposing old fishing settlements.
At the core of this escalation is not ideology — but dominance. JAS, according to intelligence intercepts, has vowed to “totally eliminate ISWAP presence in the Lake Chad islands”, and seize ISWAP’s lucrative supply corridors interfacing Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
JAS reportedly plans to push further south toward ISWAP headquarters within Marte and Ngala LGAs, a strategic move that, if successful, would reverse ISWAP’s dominance for the first time since 2021. Once ISWAP regroups on the mainland, it will retaliate violently to reclaim the islands. The group has never allowed a territorial defeat to stand.
Zagazola report that the clashes represent a transition from sporadic skirmishes to a full territorial campaign. More ambushes, roadside bombs and abductions along access routes linking Metele, Kangarwa and the Maiduguri–Damasak MSR, should be anticipated.
The emerging trend suggests that both factions will now lunched retaliatory raids on each other’s strongholds, attack supply lines, including river transport. Communities in Kukawa and Abadam especially fishermen, transport boat operators, and seasonal farmers will bear the immediate consequences.
The Lake Chad Basin has always held strategic value a place where borders blur and armies struggle to manoeuvre. But this new insurgent rivalry marks a turning point. For the first time in years, Boko Haram and ISWAP are not just fighting the state. They are fighting over who gets to rule the shadows.
And somewhere in the middle caught between gunboats, ideology and hunger are the civilians of the Lake Chad islands, whose lives continue to be shaped by a war they did not choose and cannot escape.
Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region.
EXCLUSIVE: Boko Haram–ISWAP rivalry escalates into full-scale territorial war across island corridors
News
Rev. Mohzo re-election as President is an avenue to unite COCIN, other faithfuls….. Ndume
Rev. Mohzo re-election as President is an avenue to unite COCIN, other faithfuls….. Ndume
By Ndahi Marama
Borno South Senator, Mohammed Ali Ndume has posit that the re-election of Reverend Dr. Amos Musa Mohzo as National President of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) will serve as an avenue to unite members of the Christian community and other faithfuls in Nigeria.
Reverend Mohzo, a cousin brother to Ndume who hails from Ngoshe- Sama, a remote village in Gwoza local government area of Borno state, became the first non -indigenous and committed Man of God to clinch such a position for the first and second tenure, which is usually occupied by people of Plateau indigenes.

Recall that COCIN was established since 1904 in Wase community, Jos, the Plateau state capital.
Senator Ndume, having come from both muslim and Christian family, described the victory not only to the good people of Gwoza and Borno state, but the entire country.
In a press statement signed by Senator Ndume on Sunday, a copy which was made available to our Correspondent in Maiduguri, congratulated members of COCIN in Nigeria and those in diaspora, for giving Reverend Mohzo a second chance irrespective of where he hails from.
“The re-election of Reverend Dr. Amos Musa Mohzo as National President of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) will serve as an avenue to unite members of the Christian community and other faithfuls in Nigeria.
“It will interest you to know that Rev. Mohzo is my Cousin brother who hails from Gwoza local government area of Borno state.
“Therefore, myself having come from both muslim and Christian family, I described the victory not only to the good people of Gwoza and Borno state, but the entire country.
“This is because, the National President is somebody I know with integrity, honesty, and an unquestionable character.
He is a man of deep humility, unshakable faith, and steadfast dedication to the service of God and humanity, which i believe, was the reason he was given the second chance to lead the noble Church.
“Let me also use this opportunity to congratulate all members of COCIN in Nigeria and those in diaspora, for giving Reverend Mohzo a second chance irrespective of where he hails from”. Senator Ndume said.
The Lawmaker prayed for God’s wisdom and guidance for the newly re-elected President.
Rev Dr Amos Musa Mohzo, born on 13th November, 1964 is from a humble background before his ascension to this exalted position.
Rev. Mohzo re-election as President is an avenue to unite COCIN, other faithfuls….. Ndume
Health
Yobe to establish dialysis center in Gashua
Yobe to establish dialysis center in Gashua
By: Yahaya Wakili
Pending the recommendations of the research being conducted by Bio-RTC in addressing the problem of Chronic Kidney failure in the state. The Yobe state government will establish additional succor to kidney patients with a Renal Dialysis Center in Gashua, the headquarters of the Bade local government area.
Yobe State Governor Hon. Dr. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, disclosed this in his 2026 budget proposal speech of #515.583 billion submitted to the Yobe State House of Assembly in Damaturu.
Governor Buni said the government will also construct a new general hospital in Potiskum to address the problem of overcrowding of patients at the specialist hospital.
According to him, the government will also intend to complete the rehabilitation and upgrade of the 36 remaining primary health care centers across the state in fulfillment of our campaign promise to provide one functional primary healthcare center in each of the 178 political wards.
He further said in the fiscal year, the government will embark on the provision of at least one model primary school in each of the 178 electoral wards in the state to improve basic education in the state.
He maintained that the modern markets in Geidam, Buni Yadi, Ngalda, Yunusari, and Machina will be completed and commissioned, adding that these markets will not only improve the commercial activities in the state but will further provide job opportunities to our teeming youths and increase the income of our people.
Governor Buni revealed that funds would be made available for the provision of power substations in 6 major towns of the state. In addition to the provision of solar-powered streetlights, 250 KVA, 500 KVA, and 800 KVA diesel soundproof generator sets would be distributed to government agencies across the state.
Yobe to establish dialysis center in Gashua
News
Angola, Nigeria Vote for Stronger Bilateral Relations
Angola, Nigeria Vote for Stronger Bilateral Relations
By: Michael Mike
Angola and Nigeria have expressed readiness to strengthen their bilateral relations as well as be at the forefront of regional multilateral cooperation.
This was disclosed at the weekend at the Angola’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations in Abuja.
The event with themed: “Pieces of Angola’s History Told by the Protagonists,” brought together diplomats, scholars, business leaders, and veterans to celebrate half a century of independence and friendship between Angola and Nigeria.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening relationships with Angola.
Tuggar, who was represented at the event by the Deputy Director/Head Southern African Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Nonyelum Afoekelu,, said the 49 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Angola had witnessed tremendous achievements.
He added that: “There is no doubt that there is room for more collaboration in these new areas identified by both countries during the Joint Commission.
“I wish to reiterate Nigeria’s unrelenting commitment to deepening the strong bilateral ties between Nigeria-Angola for the mutual benefit of both countries.”
In his remarks, Angola Ambassador to Nigeria, Benin, Niger, and ECOWAS, José Bamaquina Zau, said his country is looking particularly in the area of trade, security, and cultural exchange.
The envoy said both nations are working on 29 cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding, including visa exemptions and business partnerships to boost commerce between Luanda and Lagos.
“We are committed to ensuring that investors from both countries can move freely and build lasting prosperity,” he added.
.
Zau praised the long-standing brotherhood and mutual respect between Angola and Nigeria, describing the relationship as one founded on solidarity, shared struggles, and a deep sense of African unity.
He specifically commended and awarded the Nigerian generals, now retired, who actively participated in the United Nations Observation Missions for the peace process and monitoring of the unification of the Angolan Armed Forces.
They include Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Maj. Gen. Chris Garuba, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, and Brig. Gen. Buba Saleh.
He said: “The awards are symbolic recognition and gratitude for their selfless contributions to the process of political emancipation and the achievement of lasting peace in Angola.
“The conferment of the awards today is an expression of profound gratitude from Angolan people to Nigerians, for the sacrifice made in voluntarily supporting the cause of freedom and independence in Angola.
“After our independence, on November 11, 1975, the Republic of Angola plunged into an unprecedented civil and proxy war that lasted for almost 27 years.
“The result was dramatic; thousands of citizens killed and maimed; the country was completely surrounded by 15 million landmines and around 5 million internally displaced citizens overcrowding the coastal cities.
“More than 100 thousand children separated from their families: around 70 per cent of the population deprived of access to health care.”
He noted that: “Nigeria has always stood by Angola in times of conflict, in peacebuilding, and in our continued development journey. Our friendship is historic and unshakable.”
He also acknowledged his predecessor, Ambassador Eustaquio Januario Quibato, for laying the groundwork for closer diplomatic and cultural ties between both nations, while reaffirming Angola’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Nigeria in trade, investment, security, and regional integration.
Angola, Nigeria Vote for Stronger Bilateral Relations
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