Air Strikes Eliminate ISWAP Shura Council Members, Foreign fighter wounded in Major Blow to Insurgent Leadership

By Zagazola Makama

Recent air strikes by security forces in Borno State have eliminated key members of an insurgent Shura council, in what sources describe as a significant blow to the group’s leadership structure.

Security sources said the strikes, carried out about three to four days ago at a location west of Dogon Chukun, targeted a of senior insurgent figures.

The sources disclosed that three Shura council members were among those neutralised, alongside two senior field commanders known as “Munzirs” and several fighters believed to be serving as bodyguards.

According to the sources, the operation has disrupted the command hierarchy of the group, as the Shura council plays a central role in strategic decision-making and operational coordination.

According to the sources, another top figure identified as Yaa Bashir, also a senior member of the Shura council, sustained a serious thigh fracture in the strikes.

They further revealed that a foreign fighter identified as Abu Khalid, believed to be an Arab national, also suffered severe injuries during the same operation.

The sources added that efforts are ongoing to ascertain the identities of others affected while assessment of the full impact of the strikes continues.

They noted that the operation forms part of sustained efforts by Operation Hadin Kai to degrade insurgent leadership and disrupt their operational capabilities in the North-East.

Air Strikes Eliminate ISWAP Shura Council Members, Foreign fighter wounded in Major Blow to Insurgent Leadership

Troops Investigate Indiscriminate Shooting Incident in Borno Community

By Zagazola Makama

An incident of indiscriminate shooting by members of a hybrid security force has left one personnel and a civilian injured in Mandaragirau village in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 12:20 p.m. on April 30 when members of the hybrid forces deployed under the 162 Amphibious Battalion allegedly discharged their weapons indiscriminately within the community.

The sources disclosed that the shooting resulted in injuries to one member of the hybrid force and a civilian who were both evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.

According to the sources, the situation was promptly brought under control, while the erring personnel involved in the incident was arrested and taken into custody for further investigation.

They added that preliminary inquiries are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and ensure appropriate disciplinary action.

Security authorities assured residents of the area that measures are being taken to prevent a recurrence and maintain order within the community.

Troops Investigate Indiscriminate Shooting Incident in Borno Community

ISWAP Reeling From Heavy Losses, Moves to Overhaul Leadership Structure — sources

By: Zagazola Makama

The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) is undergoing a comprehensive restructuring of its command and leadership hierarchy following significant battlefield losses in recent months, intelligence sources have revealed.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the reorganisation was directed by the group’s central leadership linked to the ISIS network in the Iraq/Syria axis, after sustained military pressure degraded ISWAP’s operational capacity and leadership cohesion.

According to the sources, the group has suffered considerable setbacks due to intensified air and ground offensives, leading to the elimination of key fighters and disruption of its command structure across several fronts in the North-East.

The sources said the restructuring is expected to involve major leadership changes, including a possible replacement of the current factional leader, Ba Shuwa, whose continued leadership is reportedly under review due to recent operational failures.

They added that the status of another prominent commander, Abor Mainok, remains unclear amid the ongoing shake-up, raising concerns about internal disarray within the group’s hierarchy.

The sources further disclosed that there was no reference to Habib Yusuf, also known as Abu Musab al-Barnawi, in recent internal communications, reinforcing long-standing indications that he has not been active for a while within the group.

According to the sources, the overhaul is aimed at restoring command effectiveness, re-establishing control over dispersed fighters, and repositioning the group after the losses suffered.

They noted that intelligence gathering is ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the leadership changes and their potential impact on the group’s operational strategy.

ISWAP Reeling From Heavy Losses, Moves to Overhaul Leadership Structure — sources