The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has reportedly overrun a major stronghold of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), commonly known as Boko Haram, in Gazwa, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, following a fierce confrontation between the rival terrorist factions.
The development was reportedly uncovered during the debriefing of recently surrendered JAS fighters, who provided intelligence on the latest clash, according to sources cited by counter-insurgency analyst Zagazola Makama.
The sources said the confrontation was triggered by an alleged ambush on ISWAP logisticians transporting cash and supplies along the Gazwa-Kwaltafarji axis.
A JAS commander identified as Munzir reportedly led the ambush, during which one ISWAP logistics operative was killed. The attackers allegedly seized an AK-pattern rifle and escaped with about ₦40 million.
The surviving ISWAP members reportedly returned to their commanders and raised the alarm over the incident.
According to the intelligence sources, the stolen funds were subsequently handed to a senior JAS commander, Baafu, who allegedly transferred the money to another commander, Ali Ngulde, believed to be operating from the Mandara Mountains.
The money was later reportedly distributed among JAS commanders and fighters under the faction’s revenue-sharing arrangement.
Military intelligence was said to have viewed the incident as a direct challenge to ISWAP’s authority and logistics network, rather than merely a criminal theft.
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About 10 days after the ambush, ISWAP reportedly mobilised fighters from Yuwe, the Sambisa Forest and Zangeri for a coordinated dawn assault on JAS positions in the Gazwa enclave.
JAS fighters initially mounted resistance, but the arrival of additional ISWAP reinforcements from the Sambisa Forest reportedly turned the tide of the battle.
After several hours of fighting, the JAS fighters were allegedly overwhelmed and forced to abandon one of their key positions in the Bama axis.
The sources said ISWAP has since taken control of the Gazwa camp, although the group is reportedly maintaining heightened vigilance over possible retaliatory attacks by displaced JAS fighters.
Military sources were also said to have advised commanders to take advantage of the rivalry by sustaining offensive operations around the Gazwa-Kwaltafarji corridor and adjoining areas.
Intelligence operations are reportedly continuing to monitor the movements of both factions, with the aim of preventing either group from regrouping or establishing fresh operational bases.
The latest confrontation adds to a series of violent clashes between ISWAP and JAS, as the two factions compete for territory, resources and influence across the North-East.
In another recent confrontation, intelligence monitored by Zagazola Makama reportedly indicated that ISWAP fighters ambushed a JAS faction around Bula Murge in the Gargash area of Bama Local Government Area.
Several senior JAS commanders were reportedly killed in the attack, including Abu Ubaida, Modu Kori, Alhaji Modu, Mure, Zarkawi, Sheriff and Modu Maye.
The assault also allegedly resulted in the destruction of JAS camps at Bula Murge and Nguro Bafuye, forcing surviving fighters to relocate their families towards Bula Daloye.
Security sources believe the renewed infighting may be linked to mounting pressure on both factions from sustained military offensives and air strikes, which have disrupted their movements, logistics and operational capabilities.
They said the rivalry could provide an opportunity for security forces to intensify coordinated ground and aerial operations against both factions before they are able to regroup or consolidate their positions in the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains.