Renowned security analyst and counterinsurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, has revealed a significant blow to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Makama disclosed that at least 17 militants affiliated with ISWAP tragically drowned while attempting to flee Nigerian military operations.
The insurgents, according to Makama’s report, were trying to cross a treacherous river located between the villages of Kafetoa and Bulabulin Gaidam, areas straddling the porous border between Nigeria and Niger Republic. Their desperate flight came amid intensifying counterinsurgency operations in the region, leaving the militants trapped between advancing forces and the perilous waters.
This incident highlights the growing pressure ISWAP faces as joint military forces from Nigeria and neighboring countries ramp up their efforts to dismantle insurgent strongholds in the Lake Chad Basin. Reports indicate that the insurgents were poorly prepared for the crossing, leading to the tragic loss of life.
Makama, a respected voice on counterterrorism in the region, emphasized that such occurrences are becoming more frequent as ISWAP struggles to regroup and navigate increasingly challenging terrains. “The insurgents are cornered, and in their attempt to escape, they are facing deadly choices. The military’s sustained pressure is yielding results,” he noted.
This incident is a stark reminder of the complexities of the ongoing fight against insurgency in the region, as military forces continue to pursue ISWAP cells, leaving the militants with fewer safe havens. The border areas, once a refuge for these militants, have now become death traps due to enhanced surveillance and tactical strikes.
PIONEER NEWS 