ISWAP SACKS TOP LEADERS OVER MASS SURRENDER OF MEMBERS

The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Nigeria has reshuffled its leadership and Shura council because of the mass surrender of Boko Haram Insurgents to the Nigerian military in the North East.

Intelligence gathered that the ISWAP leadership was sacked following a directive from the headquarters of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), for failing to sustain the reunification of ISWAP and Boko Haram fighters after the death of Abubakar Shekau.

However, Aba-Ibrahim who replaced Abbah-Gana was appointed as the new ISWAP leader while Malam Bako, Abdul-Kaka, a.k.a Sa’ad, Abu Ayun and Abba Kaka were appointed as the new members of the Shura Council for the ISWAP.

Other appointments include Muhammed Mustapha who is the New Amir of Marte, Muhammed Malumma, Muhammed Maina and Abubakar Dan- Buduma who were to maintain their former positions as commanders.

It was however unclear if then new appointments represents a change in strategy or a momentary attempt to capture the goodwill of more fighters willing to lay down their arms.

According to a reliable source, ISWAP was forced to reshuffle its cabinets because of the dwindling fortunes of the organisation which has sufered depletion of fighting militants.

The massive surrender has also thrown confusion and apprehension within the camps of the ISWAP terrorists in Kirta, Wulgo, Sabon Tumbu, Jubularam, Kwalaram, Sigir, Kayowa and Kurnawa, as many other fighters are left with the option to either surrender or flee from the Lake Chad area.

Another source revealed that the large-scale and heavy bombardment campaign targeting infrastructure, armouries, camps and high-valued locations of the insurgents had also forced the insurgents to go into hiding, bringing untold hunger and hardship in the insurgents’ camps.

The source said, “The massive surrender of Boko Haram fighters is largely due to loss of confidence, maltreatment, and growing insurrections between the ISWAP and members of the Jam’aat Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihad or JAS after the death of their leader Abubakar Shekau.

“Many JAS fighters have been arrested and incarcerated in an ISWAP prison at Tumbum Kayowa for committing various crimes, while those that were former commanders and Amir’s were reduced to junior fighters and marabout slaves within the ISWAP enclaves.

“Some JAS commanders and fighters would prefer to renounce their participation in terrorism campaign and surrender to Nigerian troops than remained with ISWAP to continue facing humiliation in the camps.”

Credit: Eons Intelligence