Women, children killed as Boko Haram fighters clash with ISWAP in Borno
On Wednesday, July 5, 2023, a clash between the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram in Sambisa Forest near the North East of Bama Local Government Area of Borno State resulted in the devastating loss of life.
The ISWAP terrorists reportedly launched a coordinated raid on the hideouts of Boko Haram in Bula Alhaji Garwaye.
During the raid, scores of Boko Haram fighters, including women and children, were killed by the ISWAP group. In a separate incident, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) carried out an airstrike near Marte, neutralizing over a dozen ISWAP terrorists.
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Zagazola Makama, a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in Lake Chad, along with multiple sources, confirmed the airstrikes and the clash between the rival extremist groups.
The Boko Haram fighters, who had managed to escape previous week-long airstrikes by the Nigerian military’s Air Component Command of Operation Hadin Kai, found themselves under attack from ISWAP.
According to reports, the ISWAP militants arrived on motorcycles and launched an assault on the Boko Haram hideouts. Tragically, they did not spare women, children, or even infants. It is estimated that the number of deceased victims could exceed 50, with bodies scattered across the area.
During the attack, the ISWAP fighters looted properties, including motorcycles, bicycles, and rifles, belonging to the Boko Haram faction. However, some of the Boko Haram members managed to escape, fleeing the scene.
This unfortunate event bears resemblance to a similar attack carried out by Boko Haram in December 2022, where they killed around 33 women in retaliation for the deaths of their own members, including a notorious commander named Malam Aboubakar (Munzir).
Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Nigerian Air Force conducted another deadly airstrike near Marte, targeting ISWAP terrorists.
The operation, led by the Air Component command of Operation Hadin Kai, aimed to neutralize ISWAP strongholds in Tumbum SHITTU.
The military airstrikes were a result of intelligence reports that identified a significant gathering of terrorists in the area.
An anonymous intelligence source explained, “This air operation was aimed to neutralize the strongholds of ISWAP.
