Fresh fighting has reportedly erupted between two rival Boko Haram factions in Borno State, with fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) allegedly killing several senior commanders of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) faction during a deadly ambush.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the attack occurred around Bula Murge in Bama Local Government Area, where ISWAP fighters reportedly launched a surprise assault on their rivals in the Gargash area.
The location is said to be about 11 kilometres north of Miyanti and roughly 26 kilometres northeast of Bama.
Reports indicate that the ambush inflicted heavy losses on the JAS faction, with several of its top field commanders believed to have been killed.
Those reportedly killed include Abu Ubaida, Modu Kori, Alhaji Modu, Mure, Zarkawi, Sheriff and Modu Maye, all said to be influential figures within the JAS command structure operating in the area.
Intercepted communications reportedly suggested that surviving JAS fighters began relocating their families to Bula Daloye after their camps were overrun during the attack.
The messages indicated that the faction suffered significant setbacks, forcing members to evacuate women and children following the destruction of their operational bases.
Sources further claimed that ISWAP fighters set fire to Bula Murge and Nguro Bafuye, two settlements previously occupied by the JAS faction, destroying shelters, supply points and other logistical facilities.
Security sources believe the latest confrontation has further weakened the JAS faction and could provide an opportunity for Nigerian troops to intensify counter-insurgency operations across the area.
Military commanders have reportedly directed troops deployed around Miyanti, Bama, Kumshe and surrounding communities to sustain offensive operations aimed at preventing either insurgent faction from regrouping or establishing new camps.
The renewed violence underscores the continuing rivalry between the two extremist groups, even as security forces maintain pressure on insurgent strongholds across the southern axis of the Sambisa Forest.
