ISWAP Kills Four Nigerian Security Personnel in Fresh Borno Ambush

The latest report confirming that ISWAP kills four Nigerian security personnel has once again highlighted the persistent threat the group poses in northeastern Nigeria. According @DailyPostNGR on twitter, the attack occurred on Friday during a patrol mission involving soldiers, anti-jihadist volunteers, and local hunters within the Damboa district. This tragic development adds to the rising number of assaults in the region and underscores how determined ISWAP has become in targeting frontline operatives despite ongoing military efforts.

Naijanewz.com reported earlier that fighters from the Islamic State-West Africa Province launched a surprise attack using heavy weapons, firing at a convoy of motorcycles carrying troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force. The militants reportedly hid along a bushy route and opened fire as soon as the patrol team approached, sparking a fierce gun duel. A military officer, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the matter, confirmed that two soldiers and two CJTF members lost their lives in the assault.

A situation report circulated among humanitarian agencies by the United Nations also verified the casualties. The document noted that ISWAP militants seized 17 motorcycles during the ambush, a tactic they have adopted to weaken mobility for security teams operating in remote areas. It was initially reported that several personnel, including the brigade commander leading the team, were missing after the clash. However, the commander later found his way back to the military base located in Damboa town, which lies about 90 kilometres from Maiduguri, the Borno capital.

This incident adds to a string of violent encounters between security forces and ISWAP, which has stepped up its operations in recent months. Reports show that the group has increasingly deployed rocket-propelled grenades, suicide drones, and more coordinated infiltration strategies to advance its attacks. Analysts believe the renewed aggression is tied to the ongoing turf war between ISWAP and Boko Haram, two rival jihadist factions battling for influence around the Lake Chad corridor. Despite internal feuds, both groups continue to pose serious threats to security and stability.

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ISWAP, which broke away from Boko Haram in 2016 over ideological differences, had dominated several strategic islands in Lake Chad before Boko Haram fighters launched counterattacks. Just last week, intelligence sources indicated that Boko Haram ambushed and killed around 200 ISWAP fighters along the lake’s shores, marking one of the deadliest internal clashes between the two factions in recent months.

The broader conflict, which began in 2009 and intensified over the years, has now resulted in more than 40,000 deaths and displaced nearly two million people across northeastern Nigeria. The violence has spilled beyond Nigeria’s borders into Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, prompting the formation of a multinational coalition to combat the insurgents. Even with these joint efforts, attacks such as the one where ISWAP kills four Nigerian security personnel show that the group is still capable of launching devastating strikes.

Amid these ongoing threats, Nigerians have continued to urge President Bola Tinubu to adopt tougher measures against terrorists. Many citizens believe that a more aggressive sweep of insurgent hideouts could help weaken the operational capacity of the groups involved. On the diplomatic front, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed that Nigeria is currently holding discussions with the United States following concerns raised over a recent military-related warning reportedly issued by President Donald Trump. According to the minister, communication between both nations is improving, and Washington is beginning to “understand the situation better.”