Nigeria Announces Killing Of ISWAP Leader Who Succeeded Al-Barnawi

The government of Nigeria has announced the killing of a leader of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP), Malam Bako, SaharaReporters reports.

Bako succeeded Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, the late leader and son of Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf.

The announcement comes some days after the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor confirmed that the death of ISWAP, Abu Musab Al-Barnawi.

Al-Barnawi was the son of Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf, who was also killed by security forces in 2009 when he launched a war against the Nigerian state.

He was previously the spokesperson for the Islamists before he later became ISWAP leader following the death of Abubakar Shekau.

Addressing journalists at the State House on Thursday, the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno said Bako was killed by Nigerian troops alongside an ISWAP commander.

“In one month, we have been able to take out the leadership of ISWAP, that is Abu Musab Al-Barnawi.

“Two days ago, the man who succeeded him, Malam Bako, one of ISWAP Shura Council, was also taken out.”

According to Monguno, the military operations against the terrorists is putting pressure on them.

Sahara Reporters earlier reported in September that Abu Musab Al-Barnawi was killed in Borno State.

Al-Barnawi sustained vicious attacks especially on military facilities and troops in the Lake Chad region while at the same time strategising on how to subdue Shekau.

He controlled large swathes of territory in Northern Borno, imposed taxes on the local population and earned income from fishing aside from the financial and material support he got from ISIS.

Al-Barnawi’s fighters had also destroyed many military camps in Dikwa, Monguno, Abadam and Marte in Borno; and other military facilities around Geidam in Yobe State.

He equally established many cells on the Lake Chad islands and surrounding villages from where his fighters launched attacks on Nigeria, Niger and Chad.

His death in August, after that of Shekau in May 2021, was seen as a turning point in the war against terror.