ISWAP, Boko Haram Clash Reportedly Leaves 50 Dead In Abadan

Anthony Ufoh

The supremacy battle between the dreaded Boko Haram terrorist group and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) has reportedly led to the death of about 50 fighters in Toumbun Gini, an island community in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.

According to reports, the attack by ISWAP against Boko Haram occurred on November 9 2025, around 3:00 pm, according to Zagazola Makama on his verified X account (formerly Twitter).

He wrote, “According to the source, ISWAP mobilised fighters using 10 high-powered watercraft and launched an attack aimed at reclaiming the island, believed to have recently fallen under the control of the rival JAS faction.

“However, intelligence reportedly reached JAS leadership ahead of the assault, enabling them to set up a counter-ambush.

“At exactly 1500 hours, ISWAP boats landed, and what was planned as a surprise offensive quickly turned into a deadly trap. The first shots were decisive. JAS fighters overpowered them within minutes. ISWAP was routed,” the source said.

“The source said over 50 ISWAP fighters were killed during the ambush, with seven of their boats seized. The remaining three vessels escaped with casualties. Video clips appearing to show the aftermath of the clash surfaced online on Sunday.

Zagazola described the clash as Day 5 of intensified rivalry between the two insurgent factions, which have been fighting over territorial dominance and control of resources in the Lake Chad islands.

“The continued push by JAS against ISWAP could force surviving ISWAP fighters deeper into mainland communities bordering Kukawa, Monguno and Marte LGAs, increasing security risks for civilians and security personnel.

“The rivalry has, however, weakened both factions, reducing their ability to launch coordinated large-scale attacks. However, this fragmentation also poses a different challenge: smaller, unpredictable cells that are harder to track.

“What is happening on Lake Chad today is a conflict within a conflict, and Nigerian troops remain in the middle of the battlefield. The fighting could be leveraged strategically by intensifying pressure on both groups simultaneously.

“This is the best time for the Nigerian military to tighten the corridor and deny both factions space to regroup,” said Zagazola.