A recent nine-minute video released by Boko Haram’s Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad (JAS) has revealed heightened clashes with their rivals, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The video, titled “Kill Them Wherever You Find Them: A Struggle Between the Believers and the Apostates Inside the Islamic Caliphate,” portrays fierce confrontations between the two groups.

The violent encounters reportedly occurred between December 23 and 24, 2024, in several locations within Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, including Toumbun Gini, Toumbun Sale, Mangari, and Metele.

The footage highlights the growing intensity of the conflict between these factions, with graphic scenes of heavy fighting and significant casualties. The ongoing rivalry points to deepening divisions within the extremist landscape.

Lake Chad-based conflict analyst, Zagazola Makama has extensively documented the clashes, emphasizing the increasing fragmentation among terror groups in the region.

Analysts warn that this internal conflict could exacerbate insecurity, threatening civilian lives and disrupting humanitarian operations in affected areas.

The escalating rivalry serves as a stark reminder of the enduring security challenges faced by Nigeria and neighboring countries.

The Police Command in Jigawa has confirmed nine persons dead and four others injured in a communal clash that occurred on Friday in the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Lawan Shiisu, confirmed the incident in a statement issued to journalists in Dutse on Saturday.

Mr Shiisu stated that the incident occurred at Gululu village in Miga Local Government Area (LGA).

He explained that the incidents occurred after village residents discovered that a shop in the area had been broken into and goods looted by unknown persons.

The PPRO added that, as a result, the villagers traced the suspected thieves’ footsteps to a village in the neighbouring Fulani community in Jahun LGA.

He said that the community members were alleged to have shot the visiting villagers with bows and arrows, injuring four persons.

According to him, in retaliation, the villagers from Gululu later mobilised and attacked and set ablaze Fulani settlements in both Miga and Jahun LGAs.

“On 03/01/2025, information from Gululu village in Miga LGA indicated that a group of miscreants suspected to be Fulanis broke into a shop and stole a quantity of hibiscus flower and other provisions.

“A team of villagers (Hausawa) traced their footprints to a Fulani settlement Camp in Yankunama village, Jahun LGA.

“On sighting the villagers, the Fulanis started shooting the villagers with bows and arrows, and as a result, four persons were seriously injured.

“The villagers mobilized and started attacking the Fulanis and setting their houses ablaze at various locations within Miga and Jahun LGAs,” Shiisu said.

He added that upon receipt of the report, a team of policemen from the two LGAs rushed to assess the situation and restore peace and order.

“Unfortunately, upon their arrival, nine bodies were recovered and taken to Jahun and Miga Hospitals, where the medical doctors on duty confirmed them dead,” he said.

The PPRO said that the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Ahmadu Abdullahi, along with other senior officers, had already visited the crime scene, where a stakeholder meeting was immediately convened.

According to him, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Haruna Aliyu, who is from Miga, Council Chairmen, District Heads, leaders of Miyetti Allah and Vigilante Groups from the two affected LGAs also attended the meeting.

“The meeting was centred on maintaining law and order, avoiding violence, propaganda and reprisal attacks.

“And in the meantime, patrols are being stepped up in the affected areas to prevent further breakdown of law and order,” Mr Shiisu said.

He added that while the situation has been brought under control, an investigation is currently ongoing to bring the perpetrators to justice.

(NAN)

Terrorists invaded Natsini, a community in Argungun Local Government Area of Kebbi State, on Thursday night killing two police officers and rustling nearly 200 cattle.

Hamza Shuaibu, a resident of the community, told PREMIUM TIMES that the terrorists arrived late Thursday night and headed to a compound where the cattle were kept.

Even though the residents fled on seeing the terrorists, Mr Shuaibu said no civilian was kidnapped or killed.

“They rather went straight to the compound where more than 200 cattle were kept and took many of them away,” Mr Shuaibu said, adding the cattle belong to Lawali Black, a businessman living in Argungu, the headquarters of Argungu LGA.

Two police operatives killed in action

Nafiu Abubakar, the spokesperson for Kebbi Police Command, told our reporter that two officers lost their lives while exchanging fire with the terrorists.

Mr Abubakar, a police superintendent, said the officers were among those deployed to the community to confront the terrorists.

The police spokesperson added that the police were after the assailants.

Although Daily Trust blamed the attack on Lakurawa insurgents, the police spokesperson said it was too early to attribute the attack to the group.

According to him, the police can only tell the attack’s perpetrators if anyone is arrested.

‘Some cattle returned home’

Mr Shuaibu, who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES over the phone, said some of the rustled cattle returned to Natsini the following morning.

“About 20 of the cattle returned home on Friday morning,” he said, adding that 20 others were left behind that night when the terrorists invaded the compound.

This is not the first time terrorists have attacked the area.

The Thursday night attack came less than two months after terrorists invaded Mera, also in Argungu LGA, killing 15 locals who tried to stop them from rustling cattle in the community.

Credit: PREMIUM TIMES