More than 50 fighters were reportedly killed in a rival clash between Boko Haram (Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunna lid-Da‘wa wa’l-Jihād) and the Islamic State of West Africa Province over territorial control in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.
The clash started on Sunday evening after ISWAP launched an offensive to reclaim the area recently seized by Boko Haram in Toumbun Gini.
A video clip showed bodies drenched in blood floating in a canoe, with fighters shouting “Allahu Akbar,” suggesting that Boko Haram repelled the ISWAP attackers.
Local sources revealed that ISWAP used about 10 high-powered watercrafts to in the attack, but were ambushed by Boko Haram insurgents.
An anonymous local revealed that “ISWAP boats landed, but what was meant to be a surprise attack turned into a deadly trap. The first shots were decisive. JAS fighters overpowered them within minutes. ISWAP was routed.”
It was learnt that over 50 ISWAP fighters were killed, and seven of their boats seized while three boats escaped with casualties.
The deadly fight took place hours after troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion, Sector 2, Operation Hadin Kai, foiled a Boko Haram ambush on civilians in Dutse Kura, rescuing 86 victims and arresting 29 suspected logistics suppliers.
In a statement on Sunday, the spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Uba Sani, said the terrorists wanted to kidnap civilians and seize vehicles along the Buratai–Kamuya Road before troops arrived. The terrorists were pursued to Mangari, where troops discovered 11 makeshift structures used as a camp.
Recovered items included an AK-47 rifle, five magazines with 73 rounds, four PKT ammunition belts, five vehicles, five motorcycles, eight bicycles, and two tricycles. The camp was destroyed.
In a separate operation at Mangada, troops arrested 29 suspected logistics suppliers heading to Chilaria with two pickup vans and a tricycle loaded with about 1,000 litres of petrol, engine oil, gun-truck tyres, medical supplies, and food items. No troop casualties were recorded.
Col. Sani however did not say anything on the clash between Boko Haram (Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunna lid-Da‘wa wa’l-Jihād) and the Islamic State of West Africa Province
