Boko Haram assaults force ISWAP Lake Chad leadership change | Tellwell Newspaper
Tellwell Newspaper, Abuja – Nigeria:
Relentless offensives by Boko Haram jihadist group against its Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP) rival in recent weeks have forced the Islamic State-affiliated group to choose a new leader for its Lake Chad enclave in a desperate move to turn the table, Tellwell Newspaper exclusively reports.
ISWAP has been under intense pressure from Boko Haram fighters who have been launching massive attacks on ISWAP-held islands from their enclaves in the Niger side of the lake, causing huge material and human loss, particularly to ISWAP, according to several sources in the region.
Consequently, ISWAP reshuffled its leadership structure, appointing 27-year old Muhammad Adam to lead the group in Lake Chad, as apart of strategies to counter Boko Haram’s ceaseless attacks that pose existential threat to the group in the area.
“ISWAP has chosen Malam Muhammad Adam as its new leader in Lake Chad following Boko Haram attacks that have put it in a tight corner,” a source with deep knowledge on the operations of the group said.
Adam, a native of Mundu village in Borno state’s Abadam local government, took over from Abu-Ibrahim as ISWAP leader in Lake Chad, Tellwell gathered from sources familiar with the activities within the jihadist groups.
The leadership change followed series of heavy losses ISWAP suffered in the hands of Boko Haram in deadly raids on its enclaves, including Gerere, Juma’a Toro, Tumbun Gini and Kayowa islands, which saw hundreds dead, mostly Boko Haram fighters.
The raids forced many Boko Haram fighters to flee their abodes and relocated to Kukawa, Tumbun Kare and Barangu on the edges of the lake.
The attacks, which are led by senior Boko Haram commander Abubakar Kannai, with the support of two other lieutenants – Bako Falgore and Abu Umamah – resulted to the death of high profile ISWAP commanders including Malam Akilu, ISWAP’s cattle tax collector in the region, according to the sources.
Malam Akilu was killed during fighting with Boko Haram fighters at Dabar Masara island, the sources said.
The raging battle has taken a huge toll on ISWAP who are exhausted from fending attacks from Boko Haram that has vowed to take over the territory on the Nigerian side of the lake occupied by ISWAP. This prompted ISWAP to make peace overtures to Boko Haram, said the sources.
“Five boats laden with senior commanders from both sides sailed deep into the lake on Friday and have since been engaged in talks on a possible truce,” one of the sources told Tellwell.
“Before leaving, the Boko Haram delegation informed their people to be prepared for battle if no deal was reached because every male adult and a boy aged 10 and above would take up arms and fight to the end,” said another source.
While negotiations were ongoing between the representatives of the two warring factions, fighting has continued to rage between their fighters on Doron Nera Mangari island since Saturday, with many killed from both sides, prompting an exodus of fishermen from the area.
