Inside the ₦40m Theft That Sparked ISWAP-Boko Haram Clash

Fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have reportedly seized a major stronghold belonging to the rival Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) faction of Boko Haram following a fierce battle in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

The confrontation was reportedly triggered by the theft of about ₦40m from ISWAP logisticians operating around the Gazwa-Kwaltafarji axis.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama reported that details of the confrontation emerged from intelligence gathered during the debriefing of recently surrendered JAS fighters.

The account of the clash and the reported casualty figures had yet to be independently confirmed by the military as of the time of filing this report.

According to intelligence sources, the confrontation began when a JAS commander identified as Munzir allegedly ambushed ISWAP logisticians transporting money and supplies around the Gazwa-Kwaltafarji corridor.

One ISWAP logistic operative was reportedly killed during the attack, while the JAS fighters allegedly seized an AK-pattern rifle and approximately ₦40m.

The surviving ISWAP members reportedly escaped and informed their commanders of the attack.

Sources said the seized money was handed over to a senior JAS commander in Gazwa identified as Baafu.

Baafu was said to have subsequently transferred the funds to another senior insurgent leader, Ali Ngulde, who is believed to operate from the Mandara Mountains.

Information reportedly obtained from surrendered fighters indicated that the money was later shared among JAS commanders and fighters.

Military intelligence suggested that ISWAP considered the incident not merely a theft but an attack on its authority and logistics network.

About 10 days after the alleged cash seizure, ISWAP reportedly mobilised fighters from Yuwe, Sambisa Forest and Zangeri for a coordinated dawn attack on JAS positions in Gazwa.

The ensuing battle was said to have lasted several hours, with JAS fighters initially resisting the assault.

However, additional ISWAP fighters reportedly arrived from Sambisa Forest and overwhelmed the JAS defenders.

The surviving JAS fighters subsequently abandoned Gazwa, which had served as one of the faction’s major operational enclaves in the Bama axis. Sources said ISWAP had since taken control of the camp.

Intelligence reports, however, suggested that the faction remained wary of a possible counter-attack and could abandon the position if JAS mobilised a sufficiently large force to retake the area.

Military sources said security forces were being encouraged to exploit the rivalry between the two terrorist factions by intensifying operations around the Gazwa-Kwaltafarji corridor and neighbouring areas.

Intelligence gathering is also reportedly continuing to track the movements of fighters from both factions and prevent them from regrouping or establishing new operational bases.

The latest confrontation is part of an escalating struggle between ISWAP and JAS for territory, resources, logistics routes and influence in parts of the North-East.

The Gazwa battle came days after ISWAP reportedly ambushed JAS fighters around Bula Murge in the Gargash area of Bama LGA.

Several senior JAS commanders, including Abu Ubaida, Modu Kori, Alhaji Modu, Mure, Zarkawi, Sheriff and Modu Maye, were reported killed in that confrontation.

JAS camps at Bula Murge and Nguro Bafuye were also reportedly set ablaze, forcing surviving fighters to begin moving their families towards Bula Daloye.