10 ISWAP Fighters Surrender After Boko Haram Attacks In Niger Republic

Ten members of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) have reportedly surrendered to the Niger Republic military over fear of being eliminated.

Naija News gathered that the ISWAP fighters surrendered on Tuesday to Niger Republic armed forces due to the fear of being killed by Boko Haram fighters.

According to a Counter Insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, the continuous rival attacks between ISWAP fighters and Boko Haram insurgents took place between December 31, 2022, and January 8, 2023.

He added that the sustained onslaught led Abu Umaimah, the Boko Haram leader had led to the death of scores of ISWAP fighters and the destruction of the strategic bases of their bases in Toumbum Allura, Kurnawa, Kayowa, and Toumbun Gini communities in Niger Republic.

The attacks was said to have also forced ISWAP’s Abu Moussab al-Barnawi and other commanders to flee after some fighters earlier escaped Boko Haram’s attacks in Kayowa and Toumbun Gini in the Lake Chad, before being accosted by security forces in Tumour, Niger Republic.

A source was quoted as saying that: “The continued rivalry clash between JAS and ISWAP seems unending as several efforts by the groups to join forces against the Nigerian military and MNJTF appears impossible.

“It is against this backdrop that ISWAP is desperately seeking the support of foreign ISIS mercenaries from Mali, Burkina Faso, and lia to help them defeat the JAS.”

Makama revealed that Albarnawwy returned to Lake Chad on January 10 with 300 fighters to announce a major onslaught against the Boko Haram terrorist groups. 

He added that while the development had influenced military operations positively, Operation Hadin Kai could leverage the clashes to sustain its operation to finally decimate terrorists’ activities in the region.