The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a splinter group of Boko Haram, has claimed responsibility for the recent series of attacks on military formations in Borno and Yobe States, North-East Nigeria.
In a propaganda video released by the group, ISWAP claimed it killed three Nigerian soldiers and injured seven others during the assaults. The footage also showed heavily armed fighters engaging in gunfire, setting vehicles ablaze, and displaying nine motorcycles allegedly looted during the attacks.
Reports indicate that the coordinated assaults targeted Dikwa, Mafa, and Gajibo in Borno State, as well as Katarko in Yobe State.
Military Response
According to the Nigerian Army, troops under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), with support from the Air Force, neutralised at least 50 of the insurgents in a counter-offensive.
Sani Uba, spokesperson for the North-East Joint Task Force, confirmed that the attacks occurred between midnight and 4 a.m., with the insurgents deploying armed drones and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) in a coordinated offensive.
Zulum Blames Intelligence Lapses, Raises Concerns Over Drone Warfare
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, expressed deep concern over the terrorists’ deployment of armed drones and criticised what he described as a failure of intelligence.
Speaking during a visit to Mafa, one of the affected areas, Zulum said the attacks could have been prevented if prior warnings had been effectively acted upon.
“We had credible intelligence that Mafa would be attacked, and it was duly circulated to all relevant authorities,” he said. “There’s a need for the state and federal governments, alongside the military, to jointly identify and address the gaps.”The governor suggested possible sabotage within the security system, calling for unity rather than blame.
“We don’t have to blame each other; we must come together to resolve this situation,” he added.Zulum described the terrorists’ use of drones as alarming and urged urgent steps to strengthen Nigeria’s airspace security.
“This is frightening. In Dikwa, I was told drones were used. The proliferation of drones in the hands of non-state actors is a serious concern for the entire country,” he warned.
He also called for trans-border cooperation to curb the use of armed drones and enhance regional security.
“This issue extends beyond Borno; our security architecture must be strengthened to deal with this growing threat,” he stated.
ISWAP and Boko Haram Insurgency: A Regional Challenge
Boko Haram, which has splintered into multiple factions—including ISWAP, the Bakura Doro-led Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), and Ansaru—continues to pose a major security threat across the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel regions.
With operational bases spanning Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon, these groups have exploited porous borders and local grievances, particularly among marginalised Fulani communities, to sustain their recruitment and attacks.
Regional governments, through initiatives like the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF)—established by Nigeria in 1994 and strengthened in 2015—have sought to dismantle insurgent networks. However, tensions within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and weakened regional collaboration threaten these gains.