Recent reports have revealed that a fresh bout of infighting in Borno State has resulted in the deaths of numerous fighters from the Jam’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihd (Boko Haram) and the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP).
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in Lake Chad, took to his social media platform to disclose this information on a Saturday. He noted that the casualties on both sides may exceed 60 as the clashes persist.
According to Makama, a fierce battle erupted between the two groups at Tumbum Ali Island in Marte LGA around 1400hours, resulting in the deaths of commanders from both factions.
He further stated that this attack was in retaliation for the significant loss of ISWAP fighters at the hands of the Buduma factions, who had seized the majority of their hiding places.
Providing additional insight, Makama emphasized, “Scores of fighters from Boko Haram and ISWAP, along with their commanders, were killed during the infighting in the North East of Borno State.”
“Reports indicated that a heavy fight broke out between the two groups at Tumbum Ali Island in Marte LGA around 1400hours,” he added.
“Intelligence sources informed Zagazola Makama, a Counter-Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region, that 6 boats belonging to the Bakura Buduma faction and four JAS elements boats, all filled with fighters, were destroyed,” he continued.
“The sources also suggested that the casualties on both sides could be more than 60 as the infighting continued.”