Nigerian Military Airstrikes Eliminate ISWAP Leader Ba’a Shuwa, Kill Scores Of Fighters

The Nigerian military has reportedly neutralized Ba’a Shuwa, the leader of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), along with numerous of his fighters in a significant offensive in the North East of Borno.

This was disclosed on Friday by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in Lake Chad via a post on X.

Zagazola described Ba’a Shuwa as the ISWAP Leader of the Nigerian Wylayat, Lake Chad, Kwalfarji, Timbuktu Farouq and Sambisa Mantika of ISWAP.

According to him, Shuwa was appointed in 2021 after Abubakar Shekau killed himself and he commanded terrorists in Chiralia, Markas Kauwa, Abirma, Buk, Abulam, Dusula, Abbagajiri, Gorgore and many other camps within the Timbuktu and Alagarno axis in the South of Borno.

The security expert claimed that the damaging airstrikes carried out on January 2, 2024 at Kwatan Dilla, in Abadam LGA of Borno State had led to killing of Ba’a Shuwa including scores of his fighters.

He added that the exploitation after the strike showcased footage of scores neutralizing enemy elements and equipment.

The security expert also mentioned some of Shuwa’s top Commanding Officers to include Khaid Hanzala, Ba’a Idirisa, Rawana, Abou Ibrahim, Mallam Abubakar, Abou Aisha and Abou Khalid who was responsible for the recent attack on the electricity towers along Maiduguri-Damaturu highway.

Ba’a Shuwa and his groups of terrorists are mostly responsible for attacks, ambushes and IED/mine towards Damboa roads, Damaturu-Maiduguri, Askira, Buratai, Buni Yadi, Buni Gari, Gaidam and other part of Borno and Yobe States.