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Scores of terrorists killed Rivalry Deepens Between ISWAP and JAS in Borno Amid Escalating Clashes

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Scores of terrorists killed Rivalry Deepens Between ISWAP and JAS in Borno Amid Escalating Clashes

By: Zagazola Makama

A series of brutal clashes between two rival terrorist groups, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihad (JAS), has erupted in the southern Lake Chad Basin Region (LCRBA) of Borno State, underscoring an escalating power struggle between the factions.

The deadly encounter began on Sept 15, when ISWAP launched a surprise midnight attack on JAS elements in the Gurnuwa and Laraba Mairari areas. The assault, however, backfired, as JAS militants, despite being asleep, managed to regroup and severely overwhelm the ISWAP fighters, killing scores of them in the process.

The ISWAP militants fled the scene in disarray, abandoning several weapons, including PKT machine guns, GPMGs, and AK-47 rifles. Personal belongings, including shoes and gear, were left behind, further highlighting the chaotic nature of the retreat.

The infighting, however intensified on September 16, 2024, following a violent ambush by JAS on ISWAP elements moving rustled cattle near Lingir, along the Monguno-Kukawa axis.

Impeccable sources told Zagazola Makama that the ISWAP militants were moving rustled cattle from the southern LCRBA, allegedly destined for the Timbuktu Farouk Triangle in Damboa, when they were ambushed by JAS forces. The encounter left many ISWAP terrorists killed with surviving members abandoning their stolen cattle and several weapons, which were seized by JAS fighters.

ISWAP’s Response and Probing Attack

Under the leadership of Usman Russia, ISWAP vowed swift retaliation. Reinforcements consisting of fighters on motorcycles and a Land Cruiser jeep were dispatched from Andakar toward Gurnuwa. Later that evening, at approximately 10:00 PM, the group emerged on the Marte-Monguno road near Maiduguri, sporadically firing in what is believed to be a probing attack on military positions around Monguno. Although no casualties were reported, the incident heightened concerns about a larger offensive aimed at reclaiming the lost weapons and cattle.

The skirmish on the road to Marte signals ISWAP’s intention to reassert control, not only over the stolen resources but also its dominance in the region. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the specific aim of the probing attack, military and security forces remain on high alert, particularly around the Monguno and Kerenoa-Marte axis.

Anticipation of a Larger Battle in the Coming Days

The JAS faction, aware of ISWAP’s intentions to launch revenge attacks, has reportedly fortified its positions at Dabar Masara and Dabar Gajere, located along the Kukawa-Monguno boundary.

Intelligence sources indicate that the two groups, now stationed just two kilometers apart, are bracing for a potentially large-scale battle that could unfold in the coming 24 hours. The likelihood of a confrontation in these areas is high, with both sides preparing for a fight that could lead to heavy casualties and further destabilization in the region.

Scores of terrorists killed Rivalry Deepens Between ISWAP and JAS in Borno Amid Escalating Clashes

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Monguno says lack of national cohesion fuels insurgency

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Monguno says lack of national cohesion fuels insurgency

By: Zagazola Makama

Former National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.), has warned that Nigeria’s fight against insurgency will remain elusive without national cohesion and a united front across society.

Monguno stated this in Abuja on Thursday at the launch of Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a new book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd.).

He said Boko Haram and other violent groups had thrived by exploiting Nigeria’s divisions, stressing that disunity among citizens, political actors, and institutions weakened the country’s capacity to defeat terrorism.

“Without national cohesion, insurgency will not end. Terrorists feed on our fault lines – ethnic, religious, political – and they weaponise them against us. If we remain divided, no amount of military might will deliver lasting peace,” Monguno said.

He urged Nigerians to rise above parochial sentiments and embrace a spirit of patriotism, solidarity, and common purpose. According to him, the fight against insurgency must go beyond the battlefield to include reconciliation, justice, and inclusive governance.

The retired General emphasised that the scars left by Boko Haram were not just physical but also psychological and social, making unity a vital condition for national healing.

“The book reminds us that security is not just the work of soldiers. It is the responsibility of leaders, institutions, and citizens. Unless we build cohesion, insurgency will continue to mutate in different forms,” he added.

Monguno commended Gen. Irabor for documenting his experience, describing the work as a guide that combines history, strategy, and national lessons for the future.

The event was attended by former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Defence, service chiefs, traditional rulers, diplomats, and senior government officials.

Monguno says lack of national cohesion fuels insurgency

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Kukah says military operations alone cannot end insurgency, stresses soft power approach

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Kukah says military operations alone cannot end insurgency, stresses soft power approach

By: Zagazola Makama

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has said Nigeria cannot defeat insurgency through military operations alone, stressing the need to embrace soft power and address root causes of insecurity.

Kukah made this known in Abuja on Thursday while reviewing Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a new book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd.).

He said the country’s reliance on military doctrines and repeated counter-insurgency operations had failed to produce lasting peace because Boko Haram represented an ideology, not just an armed threat.

“For years, we have had Operation Lafiya Dole, Operation Restore Order, Operation Hadin Kai, Operation Safe Haven, and many others. Yet, when one operation fails, another is launched. These operations have not ended the insurgency because you cannot fight an idea with weapons alone,” Kukah said.

The cleric argued that describing the insurgency only in military terms forecloses other sources of information and non-kinetic solutions that are critical to peacebuilding.

According to him, Boko Haram’s struggle is framed as a jihad, and many of its fighters see death as martyrdom, making them indifferent to conventional deterrence.

“The challenge before us is not merely about defeating insurgents on the battlefield, but about understanding the soft issues of life and death. Guns cannot build peace; soft power must complement military power,” he said.

Kukah pointed to chapters 11, 12 and 13 of Irabor’s book, which emphasise reconciliation, good governance, justice, and national healing as critical conditions for security.

He praised the author’s reflections for going beyond military strategy, describing them as “the writings of a priest” that call for dialogue, reforms and moral renewal.

The bishop added that Nigeria must prioritise structural reforms, political inclusion, patriotism, and judicial integrity to tackle grievances that feed extremism.

“The urgency now is to invest in soft power – in human development, reconciliation, and building trust in institutions. Military operations can only create space; it is ideas and justice that will sustain peace,” Kukah said.

The event attracted former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, senior government officials, service chiefs, diplomats, and other dignitaries.
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Obasanjo urges holistic approach to end Boko Haram, insecurity

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Obasanjo urges holistic approach to end Boko Haram, insecurity

By: Zagazola Makama

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for a whole-of-society approach to tackle Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges in Nigeria.

Obasanjo made the call on Thursday in Abuja while reviewing the book “Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum,” authored by retired Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor.

The former president, who wrote the foreword to the book, said the insurgency which has lasted more than 15 years under four administrations had become a major threat to the stability of the nation.

He recalled Nigeria’s past security challenges, including pre-independence militancy, the Tiv riots, and the 30-month civil war, stressing that Boko Haram had now become one of the most protracted security issues the country had faced.

“In 2011, after the UN House attack in Abuja, I went to find out who these people were and what they wanted. I found that they were not really aiming for anything political or religious. In short, they were looking for a better life.

“Have we understood that? Have we taken the right steps? Should we accept this menace as part of our lives? If not, what should we do? How proactive have we been in dealing with this monster within our country?” Obasanjo asked.

He commended Irabor for the courage to document his experiences and perspectives on the insurgency, noting that the book would enrich ongoing national dialogue on peace and security.

Obasanjo said Nigeria must not shy away from interrogating its past in order to understand what was disrupting the present and shaping the future.

“The life of any nation has the good, the bad and the ugly. What is important is for us to confront our challenges honestly, look at our past and present, and when it is time to proffer solutions, we must look beyond the ordinary,” he said.

The former president also warned against treating Boko Haram and banditry as separate problems, stressing that both had become intertwined.

“Those who have things to say about Boko Haram do not even know when Boko Haram stops and banditry starts. They are all mixed together. We must begin to do something about it, and we must do it collectively,” he said.

The event was attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan, Minister of Defence Muhammad Badaru, service chiefs, royal fathers, senior military officers, members of the National Assembly and the diplomatic community.

Obasanjo urges holistic approach to end Boko Haram, insecurity

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