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ISWAP

A fresh wave of internal distrust has reportedly emerged within the leadership of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), with four senior members of the group’s influential Shura Council allegedly arrested and detained on the orders of its leader in the Lake Chad Basin, Ba Shuwa.

The development was disclosed by security analyst Zagazola Makama in a post on X, where he said the arrests followed an internal investigation by ISWAP’s intelligence unit, known as the Amniyya.

According to Makama, the intelligence unit carried out weeks of surveillance before concluding that the four senior figures had repeatedly listened to audio recordings the group’s leadership believed were part of psychological operations by the Nigerian military aimed at influencing insurgents in the Lake Chad region.

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The detained members were identified as Mallam Burin, described as a respected field commander with significant influence among fighters operating around the Lake Chad islands; Babakura Wanjam, an influential cleric responsible for providing ideological guidance within the group; and Abu Huraira and Mallam Ari Kara, both senior members of the Shura Council.

The arrests are said to have unsettled members of the insurgent group, as those detained occupy key positions within its leadership hierarchy and have long been regarded as trusted figures involved in strategic decision-making.

Security observers believe the incident points to growing suspicion and internal divisions within ISWAP, raising questions about the cohesion of the group’s command structure.

A security source familiar with the development reportedly said the detention of influential commanders and clerics by the group’s own leadership reflects deepening mistrust at the highest levels.

“The detention of influential commanders and religious figures by their own leader reflects an atmosphere of deep mistrust within the organisation. It suggests that Ba Shuwa is increasingly concerned about possible ideological drift, dissent or covert influence among even his closest associates,” the source was quoted as saying.

Analysts note that extremist groups often experience internal purges during periods of heightened pressure, particularly when leaders fear infiltration, declining loyalty or ideological disagreements among senior members.

The reported crackdown comes as Nigerian and regional security forces continue military operations against insurgent groups operating across the Lake Chad Basin, an area spanning parts of Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

While there has been no independent confirmation of the reported arrests, security experts say the alleged detentions could affect ISWAP’s operational coordination if divisions within its leadership deepen.

The Nigerian military has consistently intensified counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, combining combat missions with intelligence gathering and psychological campaigns aimed at weakening terrorist groups from within. If confirmed, the latest developments may signal increasing pressure on ISWAP’s leadership and expose growing cracks within one of the region’s most active insurgent organisations.

The Traffic NG
ISWAP
Amarachi Ihesiulo
The Traffic NG

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