Dozens of Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters killed after intercepting their fighters on the way to surrender to Nigerian troops.

The ensuing firefight left scores dead. ISWAP is certainly not happy with the trajectory of the war. Images of hundreds of
insurgents surrendering is bad press for ISWAP.

They are losing men faster than they can recruit. Morale is at an all time low. ISWAP blames surrendering fighters for the
drop in morale among fighters and noW actively hunt down surrendering fighters.

There has never been a better opportunity for the intelligence community to exploit and leverage on the infighting between ISWAP and Boko
Haram.

With most of their prominent commanders killed, its been all man for himself lately, especially for those with wives and kids, who will rather surrender than watch their wives and kids die right in front of them, a scenario that is enough to drive a man to insanity.

The surrender of fighters is usually followed up by surgical airstrikes at various camps. In some cases within hours.

ISWAP knows the Nigerian military is getting information on their positions by surrendering
fighters. To his end ISWAP has created its own Gestapo.

A police state, with holding cells for members attempting to surrender. The life expectancy of
ISWAP insurgents plummets each time just one of their members surrender to troops. It is nearly impossible to evade or escape the airstrikes that comes shortly after.

In the past this wasn’t much of a problem. The roar of approaching jets gave ample time to evade, or at the very least brace for impact. That is no longer the case.

They now have bombs raining down on their camps with frightening accuracy without announcing their arriving.
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The cold hard fact is that Nigeria is winning the war against insurgency. Many people may not like it, and will use every ISWAP attack as an indication ISWAP/BHT is winning.

Nigeria is winning. As a consequence, expect more attacks on soft targets.

Expect more audacious one off attacks designed to shock the nation in an attempt to project strenght. The buzz that follows such attacks will fizzle out and will not stop mass exodus. You won’t have hundreds of insurgents surrendering if the Nigerian military was losing.

The embitteredwill call it a “phyrric victory. The western media will call it ” fragile gains”. People will hate and argue. None of this will stop the relentless bombardment and follow on mop up operations.

This war highlights the importance of Air Power. Just a pair of JF-17 fighters have instilled an indiluted fear of dying on insurgents.

Contemplate ISWAP/Boko Haram’s fate the A-29 Super Tucanos, Wing Loong II, CH-4 and CH-3B UCAVs join the fray.

The A-29 is the gold standard of light attack combat and reconnaissance aircraft around the world. It fields more sophisticated PGMs than the JF-17.

The Wing Loong II and CH-4 can remain airborne for 30 hours. Providing round the close real time Intel, ready to strike at the touch of a button.

Credit: Defense News Nigeria