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Boko Haram

The protracted rivalry between the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), widely known as Boko Haram, continues to reshape the security landscape in Nigeria’s North-East, with fresh clashes highlighting the fierce struggle for territory, resources and influence.

According to a security report by analyst Zagazola Makama, the latest confrontation between the two extremist factions in Borno State underscores years of violent competition that has persisted since the groups split in 2016.

Makama said the division emerged after ideological and leadership disagreements prompted ISWAP to break away from the Abubakar Shekau-led Boko Haram faction, creating two rival insurgent groups operating across the Lake Chad Basin and the Sambisa Forest.

Since then, both factions have repeatedly fought over control of strategic territories, taxation routes, recruitment networks and key supply corridors, with civilians in affected communities often caught in the crossfire.

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The report noted that one of the defining moments in the rivalry occurred in May 2021 when ISWAP launched a major offensive against Shekau’s stronghold in the Sambisa Forest.

During the confrontation, Shekau reportedly detonated an explosive device, killing himself rather than surrender to advancing ISWAP fighters.

His death significantly altered the insurgency, with ISWAP absorbing many of his followers and expanding its influence across parts of the North-East.

However, not all commanders accepted the new leadership. Several loyalists rejected allegiance to ISWAP and continued operating independently under the JAS banner from remote hideouts in the Sambisa Forest and the Mandara Mountains.

According to Makama, intelligence gathered in recent months points to renewed hostilities between the rival factions as they battle for control of dwindling resources and strategic locations.

The report said the latest tensions are centred on access to food supplies, taxation of local communities, movement routes and efforts to attract or retain surviving fighters.

Security analysts believe the renewed clashes reflect increasing pressure on both factions as sustained military operations by Nigerian troops continue to limit their operational space.

The competition for shrinking territories has reportedly resulted in casualties on both sides, further weakening the insurgent groups while intensifying instability in some remote communities.

Experts say the internal conflict could disrupt the operational capabilities of both factions but also poses risks to civilians, who may face retaliatory attacks, forced recruitment or increased extortion as the groups compete for influence.

Makama observed that the latest confrontation demonstrates how military offensives have forced both ISWAP and JAS into a desperate struggle for survival, with each seeking to consolidate control over the few remaining strongholds under their influence.

Security observers maintain that while the rivalry has fractured the insurgency, sustained military pressure and regional cooperation remain critical to preventing either faction from regrouping or expanding its operations across the North-East.

The Traffic NG
Boko Haram
Falaye Tomiwa
The Traffic NG

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