ISWAP Overruns Rival JAS Enclave In Borno Following ₦40m Cash Theft

ISWAP Overruns Rival JAS Enclave In Borno Following ₦40m Cash Theft

Fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have reportedly overrun a major stronghold belonging to the rival Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) , commonly known as Boko Haram, in Gazwa, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State . The fierce confrontation, which has intensified the long-standing rivalry between the two extremist groups, was reportedly triggered by the alleged theft of approximately ₦40 million from ISWAP logisticians operating along the Gazwa-Kwaltafarji axis . The details of this latest escalation emerged from the debriefing of recently surrendered JAS fighters, who provided intelligence on the intense competition and hostility between the factions . According to these sources, a JAS commander identified as Munzir orchestrated an ambush on ISWAP operatives transporting cash and supplies, and the attack resulted in the death of one ISWAP operative, while the JAS fighters reportedly seized an AK-pattern rifle along with the substantial sum of money, which they successfully escaped with .

The stolen funds were subsequently handed over to a senior JAS commander based in Gazwa, known as Baafu, and sources indicate that Baafu transferred the money to another high-ranking commander, Ali Ngulde, who is believed to be operating from the Mandara Mountains region . From there, the funds were distributed among the JAS commanders and fighters according to the group’s standard revenue-sharing arrangement, and military intelligence reportedly indicated that ISWAP viewed the incident as more than a robbery, considering it a direct challenge to its authority and a threat to its critical logistics network in the region . Approximately ten days after the initial ambush, ISWAP mobilised a significant force from their strongholds in Yuwe, the Sambisa Forest, and Zangeri, and in a coordinated dawn assault, they launched a fierce attack on JAS positions within the Gazwa enclave . The battle raged for several hours, with JAS fighters putting up initial resistance, but the arrival of ISWAP reinforcements from the Sambisa Forest ultimately overwhelmed the defenders, forcing the JAS fighters to abandon one of their key positions in the Bama axis . The successful overrunning of the camp allowed ISWAP to establish temporary control over the Gazwa camp, though intelligence sources note that ISWAP remains cautious and could withdraw if the displaced JAS faction mounts a major retaliatory offensive .

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This latest confrontation is part of a broader series of intense clashes between ISWAP and JAS, as the rival factions compete fiercely for territorial control, valuable resources, and influence across the North-East region . The internal discord appears to be escalating, as evidenced by an earlier attack days prior, where ISWAP fighters reportedly ambushed a JAS faction around Bula Murge in the Gargash area, also in Bama Local Government Area, and that attack reportedly resulted in the deaths of several senior JAS commanders, including Abu Ubaida, Modu Kori, Alhaji Modu, Mure, Zarkawi, Sheriff, and Modu Maye . The clash also led to the destruction of JAS camps at Bula Murge and Nguro Bafuye, forcing surviving fighters to relocate their families towards Bula Daloye . The rivalry between the two factions dates back to 2016, when ISWAP broke away from the Abubakar Shekau-led Boko Haram movement over ideological and leadership disagreements, and since then, both groups have engaged in repeated battles over territorial control, taxation routes, recruitment of fighters, and strategic hideouts across the Lake Chad Basin and the Sambisa Forest . The rivalry intensified in May 2021 when ISWAP launched a major offensive that cornered Shekau, who reportedly died after detonating an explosive device rather than surrendering .

Military sources cited in the reports suggest that this ongoing rivalry could further expose weaknesses within the ranks of both groups, creating potential opportunities for security forces to disrupt their operations . The renewed infighting comes amid sustained military operations and airstrikes against insurgent groups in the North-East, which have reportedly weakened their logistics, operational capabilities and freedom of movement . Security sources said the rivalry presents an opportunity for the military to intensify coordinated land and air operations aimed at preventing either faction from regrouping or consolidating new positions in the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains . Intelligence gathering is reportedly continuing to track the movements of both factions and prevent either group from regrouping or establishing new operational bases . The situation remains dynamic, with both factions seeking to consolidate their positions and recover from their recent losses as security forces continue to monitor developments across the North-East .

ISWAP Overruns Rival JAS Enclave In Borno Following ₦40m Cash Theft