At least 85 terrorists were killed in recent clashes between the Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram in Borno State, Nigeria, according to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst. The ongoing battles for supremacy, which occurred between April 24 and 25, 2024, resulted in the displacement of the Boko Haram faction from several islands they had previously seized from ISWAP.
Makama reported that after a confrontation near Kukawa on April 24, ISWAP reinforced its positions at Tumbum Allura, an area recently retaken from Boko Haram fighters seeking to reclaim it. Additional ISWAP forces were deployed from Sabon Tumbu and Kirta Wulgo towards strategic locations including Tumbum Allura, Daban Wanzam, and Abuja Ruwa, equipped with over 30 boxes of suspected ammunition and weapons.
The conflict escalated with another ISWAP offensive targeting Boko Haram positions at Tudun Shawakki, Tumbum Bakwarram, Mallam Basiru, and Kwaleram, resulting in several casualties among the Boko Haram ranks.
On April 25, ISWAP launched further attacks on Boko Haram’s positions in Kandahar and Tumbum Ali Island in Marte LGA, leading to a fierce gun battle from 1am to 5am on April 26. ISWAP gained a significant advantage, killing over 70 Boko Haram fighters and capturing others along with their weapons.
Makama concluded that the intensifying conflicts between ISWAP and Boko Haram are creating more opportunities for government security forces to intervene decisively and address the ongoing threat of terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin.