In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing battle for dominance in the North Eastern Lake Chad region, over 100 militants from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram have been killed. This revelation was made by renowned security analyst and counterinsurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, who detailed the intense clashes that have dramatically shifted the balance of power in the volatile region on his official social media X channel.
Makama reported that the fierce confrontation occurred ten days ago on the island of Toumbun Gini, located in the Abadam Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State. The battle saw the Bakoura-led JAS Buduma fighters, a Boko Haram faction, launching a surprise and devastating assault on ISWAP positions. The attack resulted in staggering losses for ISWAP, with over 90 of its fighters killed in the onslaught.
The JAS Buduma faction, which suffered minimal losses—losing only 10 of their own—also managed to capture a significant cache of weapons and equipment. Their victory extended beyond the battlefield as they seized control of key areas previously held by ISWAP, including Toumbun Kare and Toumbun Rogo in Abadam LGA.
This recent clash is part of a broader, brutal campaign of violence between the rival factions. On July 6, 2024, JAS fighters executed a deadly raid on ISWAP positions in Kwatar Shalla Shuwari, where 16 ISWAP fighters were killed. The attackers captured eight water vessels, a substantial cache of weapons, and a significant amount of cash, which was subsequently delivered to Boko Haram leader Abu Umaima at Alli Modulla Camp in Diffa, Republic of Niger.
The bloodshed continued on July 8, 2024, in Dawashi Kwalta, where JAS forces neutralized over 20 ISWAP fighters, with some militants drowning as they attempted to flee via the river. In this engagement, JAS forces again captured several strategic items.
Currently, the JAS Buduma faction controls much of the area, having established dominance over several key territories. However, the situation remains highly volatile, with ISWAP reportedly regrouping and planning a reprisal mission to reclaim lost ground.
Zagazola Makama’s report underscores the escalating violence and the high stakes of the ongoing conflict, as both factions continue to vie for supremacy in a region that has been ravaged by insurgency for over a decade. The power struggle between ISWAP and Boko Haram is far from over, with the potential for further bloodshed as both groups continue their deadly battle for control.
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