Fresh infighting between rival jihadist factions, Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), has left scores of fighters dead following days of intense clashes in Borno State’s Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains.
Security sources said the violence erupted on 3 January when ISWAP launched coordinated assaults on Boko Haram camps around the Ali Ngulde axis of the Mandara Mountains. The offensive, reportedly led by ISWAP commanders Jundullah and Ibn Hataf, initially met fierce resistance.
Boko Haram fighters, under the coordination of a field commander identified as Abu-Rijal, also known as Ba-Sulhu, mounted counter-attacks that inflicted heavy losses on ISWAP. Dozens of ISWAP fighters were reportedly killed in the early stages, with several others captured. Weapons, including rifles, a machine gun and assorted ammunition, were also seized.
The momentum of the fighting, however, shifted days later. On 6 January, ISWAP fighters reportedly launched a retaliatory strike on a Boko Haram position in the Sabil Huda axis. The clash, which lasted several hours, was said to have claimed the lives of at least 12 Boko Haram fighters, with additional weapons falling into ISWAP hands.
The renewed violence triggered the displacement of Boko Haram-affiliated families, including women and children, who fled affected camps to areas around the Yale General axis. Sources said limited night operations were carried out to track fleeing fighters, though no further confirmed clashes had been recorded by midweek.
Meanwhile, amid ongoing security challenges in the North-East, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has moved to fast-track the acquisition of 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters from the United States.
As part of the process, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, led a Programme Management Review meeting with senior United States government officials and representatives of Bell Textron from 5 to 6 January in San Diego, California.
Aneke expressed appreciation to the US government and Bell Textron for their cooperation, professionalism and transparency, describing the review as a reflection of the NAF’s commitment to discipline, accountability and results. He said the helicopter acquisition goes beyond a platform upgrade, underscoring the depth of Nigeria’s enduring defence cooperation with the United States.
