Confusion in ISWAP camp after senior Commander killed by own IED in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Confusion has reportedly engulfed a factional camp of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) following the death of a senior Commander who was allegedly killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by his own group.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident, which occurred on Feb. 24, triggered internal discord and heightened tensions within the insurgent ranks operating in parts of the Lake Chad Basin.
According to the sources, a fighter identified as a unit intelligence member (UIM) sought clarification from a senior Commander, Amir Musa, over the circumstances surrounding the deaths of two members of the group.
The UIM reportedly demanded explanations over the killing of one Abu Nazir, said to have been eliminated by fellow ISWAP elements, as well as the death of a senior Commander, Abu Kasim.
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Abu Kasim was said to have died after an IED planted by his faction detonated along a route where he was operating. The explosion reportedly occurred amid clashes between ISWAP and rival Boko Haram elements.
Further accounts indicated that Abu Nazir’s death followed an encounter with Boko Haram fighters believed to have been responsible for the earlier killing of Abu Kasim, compounding tensions and suspicion within the camp.
Sources said the development suggested possible cases of friendly fire, operational lapses and a breakdown in coordination among the insurgents.
The incident is believed to reflect persistent hostilities between ISWAP and the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), commonly referred to as Boko Haram, despite both groups tracing their origins to the same insurgent movement.
Sources say such internal rifts has further weaken the operational cohesion of the factions, even as security forces sustain pressure on terrorist enclaves across the region.