The Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, has reportedly overrun a major Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, JAS, commonly known as Boko Haram stronghold in Gazwa, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, following a fierce battle allegedly triggered by the theft of about ₦40 million from ISWAP logisticians.
According to intelligence sources cited by counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, the development came to light during the debriefing of recently surrendered JAS members, who disclosed details of the latest clash between the rival terrorist factions.
The sources said the conflict began when a JAS commander identified as Munzir allegedly ambushed a group of ISWAP logisticians transporting cash and supplies along the Gazwa–Kwaltafarji axis.
During the ambush, one ISWAP logistics operative was reportedly killed, while JAS fighters seized an AK-pattern rifle and carted away about ₦40 million. The surviving ISWAP members reportedly escaped and informed their commanders.
Intelligence sources said the stolen money was handed over to a senior JAS commander, identified as Baafu, who allegedly transferred it to another commander, Ali Ngulde, believed to be operating from the Mandara Mountains.
The funds were later distributed among JAS commanders and fighters in line with the group’s revenue-sharing arrangement, the sources added.
Military intelligence reportedly assessed the attack as more than a theft, describing it as a direct challenge to ISWAP’s authority and logistics network.
About 10 days after the incident, ISWAP was said to have mobilised fighters from Yuwe, Sambisa Forest and Zangeri before launching a coordinated dawn assault on JAS positions in the Gazwa enclave.
Although JAS fighters initially resisted the attack, additional ISWAP reinforcements from Sambisa Forest reportedly overwhelmed them after several hours of fighting, forcing the group to abandon one of its key enclaves in the Bama axis.
Sources said ISWAP has since taken control of the Gazwa camp but remains cautious over the possibility of a retaliatory attack by displaced JAS fighters.
Military sources reportedly advised commanders to exploit the rivalry by sustaining offensive operations around the Gazwa–Kwaltafarji corridor and surrounding areas.
They added that intelligence gathering is continuing to track the movements of both factions and prevent either group from regrouping or establishing new operational bases.
The confrontation is the latest in a series of clashes between ISWAP and JAS as both factions continue to compete for territory, resources and influence across Nigeria’s North-East.
Only days earlier, intelligence monitored by Zagazola Makama indicated that ISWAP fighters ambushed another JAS faction around Bula Murge in the Gargash area of Bama Local Government Area.
The attack reportedly killed several senior JAS commanders, including Abu Ubaida, Modu Kori, Alhaji Modu, Mure, Zarkawi, Sheriff and Modu Maye.
The assault also allegedly led to the destruction of JAS camps at Bula Murge and Nguro Bafuye, forcing surviving fighters to relocate their families towards Bula Daloye.
Security sources believe the renewed infighting reflects mounting pressure on both groups as sustained military offensives and air strikes continue to disrupt their operations, logistics and movement.
They added that the rivalry presents an opportunity for the military to intensify coordinated land and air operations aimed at further weakening both factions before either can regroup or consolidate positions in the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains.
Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
