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A fresh clash between rival terrorist groups, Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, JAS, and the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, has reportedly left dozens of fighters dead in parts of the Lake Chad Islands, raising renewed security concerns across Nigeria’s North-East.

The development was reported by security analyst Zagazola Makama.

According to the report, the fighting erupted around Mangari and Tumbun Allura after both factions engaged in a fierce battle over control of strategic locations within the Lake Chad basin.

Makama reported that JAS fighters gained the upper hand during the confrontation, allegedly killing dozens of ISWAP fighters before seizing two boats belonging to the rival group and retreating to their stronghold at Kurnawa.

The report noted that the boats are considered critical assets because they are used to transport fighters, weapons, food supplies and other logistics across the Lake Chad waterways.

“The reported seizure of the boats is considered significant, as watercraft remain a critical means of transportation for fighters, weapons, food supplies and other logistics across the difficult terrain of the Lake Chad waterways,” the report stated.

According to intelligence sources quoted in the report, troops deployed in Mallam Fatori, Baga, Cross Kauwa, Kukawa and other communities around the Lake Chad axis have been placed on heightened alert amid fears that fleeing ISWAP fighters could disperse into nearby areas.

Makama added that security assessments warned the confrontation could increase the risk of isolated attacks, improvised explosive device, IED, ambushes and retaliatory assaults as surviving fighters attempt to regroup.

The report further stated that military authorities are considering intensified offensive operations, including increased patrols and enhanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities, to prevent fleeing insurgents from reorganising.

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The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has confirmed that due diligence was not thoroughly carried out in the process that led to the recognition of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.

She accepted responsibility for the lapse, saying her office relied on documents that appeared authentic without subjecting them to sufficient verification.
Walson-Jack made the admission while appearing before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the alleged operation of the purported council.

She told lawmakers that her office had no reason to doubt the documents at the time because they bore the State House logo and what appeared to be a familiar signature.
However, the HoSF said subsequent comparisons with genuine State House correspondence, backed by police forensic findings, confirmed that the signatures were different.

She, however, assured the committee that her office would review its internal verification procedures to make them more robust and fraud-proof.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has told the committee that the self-acclaimed Director-General of the purported council, Mr. Adeniyi Adeyemi, could not appear before the lawmakers due to a subsisting court order.

Disu, who was represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police Olufemi Akinola, said Adeyemi could only appear upon an order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

Following the submission, the committee adjourned further sitting on the matter until next week.

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The Lagos State Domestic and Sexu@l V!olence Agency (DSVA) has reacted to the viral report of a 28-year-old widow simply identified as Tosin who is allegedly being harassed and intimidated by her in-laws eight days after her husband passed away.

In a statement released on Wednesday, July 29, the agency said it successfully established contact with the lady, who alleged that she had been subjected to threats to her life, physical ass@ult, and intimidation following the recent death of her husband. She further informed the Agency that the matter had already been reported to the Owutu Police Division.

The statement added that preliminary feedback from the Police confirms that the alleged perpetrator who, according to Harrison Gwamnishu, is the father-in-law, has been arrested and is currently in custody, while investigations continue.

The agency says the Lagos State Government remains committed to ensuring the safety and protection of the survivor and her children, while working closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure that justice is served in accordance with the law.

To report cases of Domestic and Sexual Violence in Lagos State, please call 0-8000-333-333 or send a DM via our official social media platforms @lagosdsva.