ISWAP Ambushes Rival Boko Haram Faction in Bama, Several JAS Commanders Feared Killed

By Zagazola Makama

A fresh and deadly confrontation has erupted between rival Boko Haram factions in Borno State, with fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) launching a coordinated ambush on a Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) faction around Bula Murge in Bama Local Government Area, leaving several senior insurgent commanders feared dead.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the clash occurred in the Gargash general area around Bula Murge, approximately 11 kilometres north of Miyanti and 26 kilometres northeast of Bama.

Sources said that ISWAP fighters carried out a surprise attack against the rival JAS faction, inflicting heavy casualties during the fierce engagement.

Among those reportedly killed were prominent JAS commanders identified as Abu Ubaida, Modu Kori, Alhaji Modu, Mure, Zarkawi, Sheriff, and Modu Maye, all believed to have played key operational roles within the faction operating in the area.

Sources said the attack forced surviving JAS fighters into disarray, with intercepted communications indicating that the group has begun plans to evacuate its women and families to Bula Daloye, following the destruction of their camps.

The intelligence further revealed that Bula Murge and Nguro Bafuye, two locations previously occupied by the JAS faction, were set ablaze during the assault, depriving the group of key shelters and logistics hubs.

Further intelligence assessed that the latest infighting has significantly weakened the JAS faction in the area and presents an opportunity for security forces to intensify ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

Security sources disclosed that troops operating around Miyanti, Bama, Kumshe and adjoining communities have been urged to exploit the situation by sustaining offensive operations to prevent either faction from regrouping or re-establishing operational bases.

According to the sources, commanders have been advised to maintain pressure on both factions to further degrade their fighting capability and deny them freedom of action across the southern fringes of the Sambisa Forest.

The latest confrontation is the latest in a series of violent clashes between ISWAP and JAS, whose long-running rivalry has continued to reshape the insurgency landscape in the North East.

The feud dates back to 2016, when ISWAP split from the Abubakar Shekau-led Boko Haram movement after ideological and leadership disagreements. Since then, both factions have repeatedly fought for control of territories, taxation routes, recruits and strategic hideouts across the Lake Chad Basin and the Sambisa Forest.

The rivalry reached a turning point in May 2021 when ISWAP launched a major offensive into the Sambisa Forest, cornering Shekau, who died during the confrontation after reportedly detonating an explosive device rather than surrender. Although ISWAP subsequently absorbed many of Shekau’s fighters, a number of die-hard JAS commanders rejected allegiance to ISWAP and continued to operate independently from isolated enclaves around Sambisa and the Mandara Mountains.

In recent months, intelligence reports monitored by Zagazola Makama have indicated renewed tensions between the two factions over control of food supplies, taxation of local communities, movement corridors and allegiance of surviving fighters. The competition has triggered several deadly internal battles, with both groups suffering losses while attempting to dominate shrinking areas of influence under sustained military pressure.

The renewed infighting reflects increasing stress within the insurgent ranks as sustained ground offensives and precision air strikes by Operation HADIN KAI continue to degrade terrorist logistics, restrict movement and disrupt command structures.

Military sources said the current clashes should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a reason for complacency, stressing that aggressive exploitation through coordinated land and air operations could further weaken both terrorist factions before they are able to recover or reorganise.

The sources added that troops remain on heightened alert across the Bama axis and surrounding communities as operations continue to deny the terrorists any safe haven.