*The butchered Commanders and fighters are said to be loyalists of executed leader, Amir Baba Kaka

By David Otto

Already notorious for its public and gruesome executions, the Boko Haram terrorists splinter group, ISIS in Africa – ISWAP, has executed about 20 prisoners that had been sentenced to death by the Chief Judge and his council for committing several jihadist crimes including corruption , spying and attempting to desert.

The ISIS linked brutal militant group killed the jihadists – most of whom were loyalist commanders and fighters of the former notorious warlord Amir Baba Kaka who was executed at Kwalaram close to Kwatan Marghi on the evening of Sunday 26th July 2020 along with two of his lieutenants; Amir Muhammed Lawal AKA Abba Lawal and Amir Musa.

It was reported that the jihadist had planned to carry out the execution of 14 others at a location that had previously been given as Tunbum Kurna – but the actual location of the execution was changed to Tudun Woulgo.

The chaotic and semi-structured terror group has also embarked on a frenzied spree of internal killings in a bid to prevent the huge flow of deserters running away from the battlefield to surrender to the security forces.

These latest internal execution took place on Friday, July 31, 2020 at about 10:30am at a location given as Tudun Wulgo close to Sabon Tombo – Lake Chad axis, one of the strongest hold of the terrorist. Thé exécution was carried out immediately after Eid-El-Kabir prayers Infront of hundreds of the congregation.

Those executed included one Ba’a Masta, an Islamic Scholar who preached in the Tumbus; two Nigerian Army soldiers ( names withheld) and one individual known only as John, described by sources as ‘an Ibo man ‘ who was allegedly to have been caught spying on the group. The execution took place in a typical jihadist fashion.

A ring-like structure of cheering crowds of men – and young children witnessed the execution of the men in the presence of some key members of the ISWAP Leadership.

The number of militants killed represents only a small percentage of many undocumented individuals and fighters the ISWAP has murdered since the terrorist expanded it network in the shores of the Lakechad. As it becomes increasingly desperate ISWAP has been turning to ever more horrific and shocking forms of execution to try and instil fear and loyalty in its fighters and subjects.

A jihadist Leadership chaos continues to destabilise Boko Haram and ISWAP structure in the Lake Chad axis region following internal power struggles made worse by land and aerial coordinated offensive by the Nigerian Army commanded by Lt Gen.Tukur Yusufu Buratai; the Chadian Army under President Idriss Deby and the regional Multi-national Joint Task Force (MNJTF) troops on Jihadist strongholds – particularly in the lake chad axis. Thousands of Boko Haram and ISWAP jihadist fighters and commanders have recently been eliminated forcing a complete overhaul of ISWAP leadership and independent groups turned bandits spilling over to the North West to terrorise the vulnerable population. Thé récent summary execution of top jihadist leaders and other captives is part of an ongoing cleansing and leadership consolidation exercise by the most recent ISWAP Leadership of Ba Abubakar Lawan and the return of Abu Musab Albarnawi to ISWAP high command. All local and regional stakeholders must engage collectively towards a common goal of achieving complete and sustainable defeat against terrorist and criminal elements hibernating in Northern Nigeria – North West Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin States of Cameroon – Niger and Chad. This is the People’s War !!!

David Otto is the Director for Stepped In – Step Out UK Ltd and a Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime Expert. He is a Certified Anti -Terrorism Specialist (CAS), a Certified Master Anti -Terrorism Specialist (CMAS) and a programme trainer with the Anti -Terrorism Accreditation Board (ATAB). Twitter @ottotgs Email: [email protected]